BACUP skipper Shaun Young has backed Bacup to bounce back from the disappointment of defeat in the Worsley Cup final and go on to win the Transco Lancashire League.

The 31-year-old all-rounder, who has taken 67 wickets and scored 859 runs this season, says team spirit was not knocked by defeat.

"We are still very confident," he said. "It had been a few weeks since we were last beaten and we were very confident that we were going to win the game.

"But that is why cricket is such a great game, it's a great leveller. No matter how well a team is playing there will always be another team that can come in and beat them."

A super show from Ramsbottom pro Brad Hodge gave them the title but Bacup have the league to concentrate on now.

"Our gameplan was to get Brad out and we didn't do that. We dropped him three times and he went on to get 80-odd.

"We were a bit sad on Sunday and Monday but the team are feeling good about themselves again now.

"In a way it is a weight off our shoulders having the Worsley Cup final out of the way, because we can just concentrate on the league now.

"Everyone has rallied round to boost morale and we have to look at this weekend's game against Lowerhouse now." Lowerhouse were on the end of a record innings score of 340 from Rishton last weekend and Young is relishing the thought of possibly repeating that.

"Maybe this is a good time to play them but you have to be wary of some of the bottom teams because everyone will want to beat us.

"We don't have to play any of the top teams now before the end of the season but sometimes it can be tougher playing the teams at the bottom."

Bacup are just four points clear of second-placed East Lancs with seven games to go.

Talks are due to start next week between Young and Bacup regarding a return to Lanehead next season.

"I would like to come back and I think the club would like me to come back but it is a purely financial situation.

"I need to sit down with the club and discuss it."

East Lancs are away at Enfield tomorrow.

Fixtures: Colne v Haslingden, Enfield v East Lancs, Lowerhouse v Bacup, Ramsbottom v Church, Rawtenstall v Burnley, Rishton v Accrington, Todmorden v Nelson.