DOUBLE-CHASING Bacup go into a crucial weekend looking to recover from the surprise result of the season.

The defending Transco Lancashire League champions were knocked off the top of the table last Saturday by bottom club Church.

That allowed Rishton to draw level on points with the Lanehead club in joint second spot and the pair go head-to-head tomorrow both looking to overhaul new leaders East Lancashire.

For Bacup it's the first of two massive games in as many days as they then travel to Burnley in the semi-finals of the Worsley Cup on Sunday.

And professional Shaun Young is eager to get back into the groove after the upset against Church.

"It was a bit of a shock to the system but as I said to the boys you aren't going to go all season without losing," said the Tasmanian all-rounder.

"And if we are going to lose I'd rather lose to Church than Rishton this weekend.

"Tomorrow is an important game for us to bounce back with a win and to open up a gap between ourselves and Rishton.

"I think the boys are still very confident with the way we are playing. It was a hicuup, but that's one-day cricket, and if we keep playing the way we have been we will be up there."

Rishton beat Colne last weekend with big scores from both professional Clinton Perren and skipper Peter Sleep.

And Young knows Bacup will have to contain both to stay in touch with East Lancs, who face a tough game at home to in-form Rawtenstall.

He said: "Clinton's a very good batter and one we'll probably have to get early. I'm not too sure about his bowling because he doesn't bowl much back home but we'll see that tomorrow.

"Sleepy's been over here for a lot of years and knows how to play the game. He's like a second professional for them. I wouldn't call him an amateur and he will be a danger."

Young believes Rishton will be one of Bacup's main challengers in the defence of their crown, along with East Lancs, Todmorden and possibly Rawtenstall.

But the former Gloucestershire player insisted that Bacup aren't ready to relinquish their title easily.

"It's a good club and the committee and the players are very hungry to win the league again. That's how we approach every game. We are out there to win. We are taking it game by game and we'll see where that gets us at the end," he said.

The league champions are also chasing Worsley Cup glory and they take on Burnley on Sunday with the prospect of a final date against either Ramsbottom or Colne for the winners.

"Sunday is another important game for us. If we could win that we might have a home final which is very important for the club," Young added.

"We have probably got the best of the draw and playing away doesn't really faze me because it is a good wicket at Burnley. I think it's a good forecast so it should be all right. But it will be a tough game.

"We will start as favourites but anything can happen in a one-day game. There are lots of ifs and buts in one-day cricket but if we can be that one per cent better than Burnley we can go through."

Tomorrow's fixtures: Accrington v Todmorden, Bacup v Rishton, Burnley v Ramsbottom, Church v Colne, East Lancs v Rawtenstall, Haslingden v Lowerhouse, Nelson v Enfield.