TOUGH-TALKING Aussie Shaun Young believes Bacup's recent shock defeat at the hands of Nelson could spur them on to their third successive Transco Lancashire League title.

Nelson, who finished second-from-bottom last summer, sent shockwaves through the league when they toppled the defending champions.

But far from undermining the Lanehead team's confidence, Young believes the result will only serve to strengthen their resolve as they close in on the treble.

And that can only spell trouble for the rest of Bacup's title contenders.

"That game could have gone either way," said the Aussie, whose side are currently in second spot.

"We didn't play our best but I think losing was the kick up the bum we needed, especially as it was so early on in the season.

"We hadn't lost a league game since last June and perhaps the loss was a good thing.

"It was disappointing but all credit to Nelson because it shows that anyone is beatable in this league.

"We've been champions for the past two years so every team wants to beat us and when they do it's a huge win.

"We have just got to make sure it doesn't happen too often."

That Nelson loss is Bacup's only league defeat of the season so far, although they did crash out of the Inter-League trophy at the first stage when they lost to Central Lancashire League side Littleborough.

However, they had more success in the Worsley Cup last Sunday when they toppled East Lancs -- the team who chased them all the way to the title last summer.

Bacup won, mainly thanks to Young who made a valuable 56 - his highest tally of the season - and then took 4-15 to help his side to a 32-run victory.

But the Blackburn side have the chance to exact some quick revenge when the two sides meet again at Alexandra Meadows tomorrow in the league.

"We seem to have had the wood over them in the last few meetings," admitted the 32-year-old all-rounder.

"They will be trying to bounce back but Worsley Cup games are different to the league because you have to use the five bowlers.

"Every member of the teams has to chip in and perform so you have 11 players doing the job.

"We know tomorrow will be a tough game although it does depend on the wickets, especially because of the weather this week."

Young -- who finished second in the bowling averages last season with 94 wickets -- has starred with the ball again this term, taking 8-21 in a win over Rishton earlier in the season followed by impressive figures of 4-24 in a victory over Lowerhouse.

But, after scoring more than 1,000 runs last term, he is still trying to find his feet with the bat.

"I haven't been doing well with the bat. I think I have been a bit unlucky but I am sure it will come," said Young.

"The wicket hasn't been the best at Bacup so far because of the weather but once it improves, I am sure it will be okay."

Young enjoyed Bacup's success last season, when they clinched the title and reached the final of the Worsley Cup, and he readily admits it was an easy decision to return.

"I made a lot of good friends last year and so it was nice to come back to familiar surroundings.

"It has been a little bit different this season though.

"There are a lot more South African pros this summer. I think it was more Aussies last year.

"And last year it was just us and East Lancs chasing for the title. This season I think four or five sides could be up there.

"There are a lot of pretty good players around."

Enfield currently lead the pack but Haslingden are also up there and Young believes both sides are capable of lasting the distance.

"Haslingden are a good team while Enfield have two or three top players.

"Martin van Jaarsveld and Liam Jackson are two good players but if you can take them out of the game cheaply, as Ramsbottom did in the Worsley Cup, they will be easy to beat.

"But both Haslingden and Enfield will be tough games.

"I think the fact four or five teams could win the league makes it a lot more exciting.

"It means every game means something and so every game is exciting which is better than dull games."

TOMORROW'S GAMES (all postponed on April 28): Bacup v East Lancs, Church v Burnley, Colne v Rawtenstall, Enfield v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Todmorden, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Nelson.