LOWERHOUSE captain Matt Hope has defended his side's terrible performance at Todmorden on Sunday -- they were bowled out for 53 -- and admitted: "I actually thought that was going to happen on both days!"

Hope took his depleted troops -- they were missing six senior players -- to Centre Vale for a double header last weekend and enjoyed vastly different results.

On Saturday, armed with sub professional Asif Mustaba, Lowerhouse stormed to a six-wicket win after Mustaba took nine wickets for 61 runs and then plundered 103 with the bat.

But on Sunday, this time with sub pro Claude Henderson, the side slumped to 53 all out and were well beaten.

"To be honest we went in to the weekend saying any points would be a bonus," said Hope. "We had a weak side out and we had a few making their debuts.

"The majority of us were thinking if we got anything out of the games it would be a bonus.

"So for Mustaba to play so well was brilliant. You hope for the best when you have a sub pro so when he takes nine wickets and scores a hundred you have to be happy."

When the side returned 24 hours later, though, it was a different story.

"When we were all out for 50 they said our win the day before was all down to the pro but I disagree," continued Hope. "Chris Swift got 30 and put on 90 with Mustaba.

"It could have been very different if Chris had gone early so there were more people contributing than some gave us credit for."

Hope paid tribute to Mustaba, who plies his trade in the Central Lancashire League with Norden.

"He certainly earned his money that day. He was obviously fairly happy but it's just another day at the office for him.

"He came and did a job. He was very good as all our sub pros have been this season. I think we will be using him again!"

After losing South African pro Jon Kent after just five games this season, the Liverpool Road side got former East Lancs player Henderson signed up for the majority of their remaining Sunday games.

"He knows the league but there wasn't much he could do for us on Sunday," said Hope. "Even someone who is as good a bowler as Claude is going to struggle when we only reach 50."

But Henderson has a prior engagement this weekend -- his girlfriend is visiting from South Africa -- so fellow countryman Mike Rindell, who plays for Birmingham side Smethwick, will stand in when they make the trip to Nelson tomorrow.

Hope admits the chopping and changing doesn't make things easy for the team -- although they are currently seventh in the table.

"You miss having someone around in the week," he said. "But there were no hard feelings with Jon. He wanted to get back to get fit for the South Africa A tour in September and the start of the new season.

"With no disrespect we have played better without him, but he was injured.

"If he had been fit I am sure we would have done just as well."

OTHER FIXTURES: Accrington v Rawtenstall, Bacup v Todmorden, Burnley v Colne, Church v Enfield, East Lancs v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Rishton.