ANDY Samuels is hoping to break his Derek Chadwick Trophy duck this year but reckons: "My chances are slim."

The 46-year-old former Harold Ryden champion has never won the Burnley trophy and has been a beaten finalist five times.

And he reckons the 'young blood' of the club will win through in Wednesday night's final.

Samuels beat captain Clifford Hopwood on the fourth extra hole in the quarter final last night and plays 18-year-old Anthony Keenan in the semi-final tonight.

He beat Keenan at the semi final stage last year, but knows a repeat of 12 months ago will be tough.

"I beat Anthony on the 20th last year but all the young players have improved this year. We have a really good set of young players at Burnley."

And with Harold Ryden winner and new Burnley club champion Michael Hunt in the other semi-final Samuels knows that this year could be one of the toughest yet in which to win it.

"I think my chances are slim," he laughed. "But I'll try anyway. As long as we can go out there and play I'll be happy.

"I have been a beaten finalist in this competition five times and a beaten finalist in the club championship six times so I am hoping for a change of luck this year.

"But as long as I can come back next year and give it another go that's all that matters."

Teenager Keenan, who beat Ian Henderson three and two last night, was confident he could beat Samuels to book himself a place in the final.

"I think I am going to win," said Keenan, who has been a beaten semi-finalist four times in this competition.

"He beat me last year but I am confident. I am playing really well at the moment and I have improved a lot since last year.

"I have just got my handicap down to one and I my aim this year was to get it down to scratch so I am half way there."

Keenan lost out to Hunt in the club championship on Saturday after carding a total that, in any other year, would have won it.

Hunt, who beat Chris Chrimes six and five in last night's quarter final to set up a clash with Graham Haworth tonight, said he felt sorry for his club-mate.

"I think the record score in the club championship before this year was one under and Anthony scored four under so in any other year he would have won," said Hunt, who set a new course record of 62 on his way to an eight under par win in the club championships.

He beat Chrimes comfortably last night -- with a little help from a member's car!

"I hit Ray Hawk's car full whack on the eighth," said Hunt. "And it was lucky because if the car hadn't been there it would have gone out of bounds."

In the other quarter final Graham Haworth beat 18-year-old Andrew Wilson three and one to set up a semi-final bout with the ELGA champion.

"I beat Michael last year in the semi-final but he is a much better player now and a lot wiser," said Haworth, who is a former Derek Chadwick winner.

"I know I will have to be on top form but we will have a good game whatever happens.

Haworth also paid tribute to his young opponent. "Andrew is a credit to the club. We have a lot of young lads coming up and he is a good kid."