YOU can almost sense the relish in Mark Bailey's voice as he contemplates the prospect of playing on what has been something of a paradise for batsmen in the EW Cartons Lancashire League this season.

The free-scoring Accrington professional heads for Todmorden's prized Centre Vale track tomorrow well within reach, in his current red-hot form, of becoming the first league player to top 1,000 runs for the summer.

Yet the quietly-spoken New Zealand international is more concerned with picking up points for improving Accrington than with personal landmarks.

"Yes, a few of the guys have mentioned the runs that have been scored there," he said, with the hint of a chuckle of anticipation.

"It should be a good wicket and, hopefully, we can pick up another win and I can contribute."

Bailey has certainly done that lately to inspire Accrington to a realistic hope of finishing well away from the bottom spot that has haunted them in recent years and has already been offered terms for a return next year.

Currently weighing up his commitments before giving his decision, he hopes to help the team to a respectable position.

And that would be a greater prize to the Kiwi than any personal plaudits - even though he is aware that his own runscoring feats have been grabbing attention.

With three centuries in his last four innings, he is only 105 runs away from the magical four-figure mark.

"I can't say I have really been thinking about it but I suppose it has been in the back of my mind," he said.

"People talk about getting 1,000 runs and it's always nice to do these things, especially as I didn't achieve it in my three previous years in Durham.

"But the wickets weren't as good there.

"I've been lucky enough to get into a good run of form and you just try to stay in it.

"I am feeling confident at the moment and it would be nice to reach 1,000 but you just have to take it a ball and a run at a time."

Bailey surely won't take too long to pass this particular milestone but he remains committed to the team cause.

"We had a good win on Sunday and against Rishton the week before and we are slowly climbing," he said.

"But we are not far away from the bottom and could still finish there. We need to try to get another four or five wins from the last nine games.

"I think the self-confidence of the players has improved. It's not easy to break out of it when you are on a losing streak." Accrington have done that and, if they can achieve another win at Todmorden, especially with the professional breaking that four-figure barrier, then spirits and confidence should be sky high.

Present occupiers of the bottom spot Rawtenstall are at home to leaders East Lancs tomorrow. There is a big game at the West End where Lowerhouse, who are fourth, take on third-placed Haslingden.

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

Former East Lancashire professional Billy Stelling is set to return to the EW Cartons Lancashire League with Rawtenstall.

The South African all-rounder, who had two seasons at Alexandra Meadows in 1996 and 97, is set to replace the injured Lloyd Ferreira for the remainder of the summer.

However, Stelling, who has been playing for a club in Berkshire this summer, won't take up his duties until next weekend.

Rawtenstall have therefore again recruited South African Gideon Kruis from Central Lancashire League outfit Walsden for tomorrow's bottom versus top clash against East Lancs at Bacup Road.

Enfield are hopeful that Australian Dave Saker will return for a second summer at Dill Hall Lane after offering him terms.

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