CHURCH skipper Alec Holt talks about an upturn in fortunes for his side last weekend -- and the prospect of some silverware coming to Blackburn Road. IT had been a disappointing season up until last weekend where, when we could finally put our strongest side out, we showed what we could do.

Injuries had hampered us early on -- Craig Fergusson had a hand injury, Tom O'Neill (groin) and so on -- and we could not get our full team together.

But in the last three games, we have been able to field our strongest team and we have won two and came close to beating Rishton the weekend before.

We beat champions Bacup on Saturday and then got through to the semi-finals of the Inter-League competition in a close game with Burnley.

That was a tense match which we won on wickets but I was always confident we could do it. James Bryant, the pro, made 84 and I knew as long as he was at the crease and he could keep talking to the batsmen coming in that we would be okay.

A lot of people call this a Mickey Mouse cup but for us it is important. We were knocked out in the first round of the Worsley Cup so it gave us something else.

There are a lot of Lancashire League clubs left -- Rishton, Ramsbottom, ourselves and then Central Lancashire League side Littleborough -- so it is our Worsley Cup.

We haven't won anything at Church for 27 years so it is not a tin pot competition -- it is a chance to win a trophy.

And we feel we are coming good at the right time. Last season the eventual champions Bacup only won two of their first nine games whereas we didn't lose until August and then lost six and ended up finishing fourth.

I'm not saying we will be champions but, despite being second from bottom now, reaching at least the semi-final of a competition and a mid-table finish would be something to build on for next season.

It is my first season as captain after taking over from Mark Aspin and I'm loving the challenge. I'm there to be shot at and I don't mind one bit!

I'm different to Mark. He, I guess, is more of a family man and probably has a better cricket mind.

I'm crazier and a bit wilder.

We do have a young side and I try to keep everyone entertained in the dressing room -- although I can't say what I do!

I try to be on their level and I get on with them in that way. I love the comradeship and we have a laugh.

James (Bryant) has taken a while to settle in and he too is totally different to last year's pro Mike Watkinson.

With Mike being at Lancashire, we all looked up to him. He was good in the dressing room, he knew everything about the game and he'd tell you what to expect. There was a presence about him, an air, and everyone listened to him.

James is younger, he is raw to the league but he is keen. He is starting to make his presence felt although he took a while to settle in.

He struggled at first as it was new territory but we are getting there now.

And we do not think we are that far off. If you look at the league table, from the number of bonus points we have, we would be third.

But there are too many games we have thrown away although we hope we can put a good run together now.

I think me and James make a good combination.

He helped me in the early stages. I play hard, I give all and call a spade a spade.

Then James took me to one side and said not everyone can take the pressure like me so leave them alone and let them enjoy it. And I did and it happened. It's a learning curve.

In return I keep James stocked up with sausages and beans -- his favourites!