CENTRAL Lancashire League side Crompton have waited nearly 20 years since they last lifted a trophy.

But their hosts in tomorrow's semi-final of the Inter League Knockout Cup don't even have distant memories to comfort them.

As the century draws to a close, Lowerhouse remain the only Lancashire League side never to have won either the league or the cup.

So when they fight it out at Liverpool Road tomorrow for a place in the final, there is sure to be plenty at stake.

"It's a big game," said Lowerhouse professional Martin Van Jaarsveld.

"But in terms of confidence we are going into it expecting to win because we've been on a good winning streak of late.

"We are in good habits at the moment so we've just got to bowl to our strengths and we'll be all right."

Opponents Crompton are described as something of a hit and miss side.

To emphasize the point they scored over 300 in one recent match only to be bowled out for 46 in the following game.

And, like Lowerhouse, they have never enjoyed any league success.

In fact the last time they lifted the cup was back in 1980.

Professional Zafir Iqbal has been there for six years.

He is reported to be a pretty firery bowler and can be very dangerous on a good flat track.

They also boast the league's leading wicket taker for the past two seasons in the shape of veteran seamer Les Whittle. In the batting stakes, Quaser Rashid has been a regular member of the league side and opener Jamil Nisar is also a danger.

And they have already seen off the challenge of Lancashire League outfits Burnley, Rishton and Accrington to reach this stage.

"I've been speaking to Anthony Botha at Burnley and he said they have an amateur opening batsman who's very good," said Van Jaarsveld.

"I'm a bit worried about their amateur batsmen although there shouldn't be too much to worry about bowling wise because they've got to use five bowlers.

"But in this game you can never tell.

"I read in the paper the other day they were bowled out for 40-odd last week."

Nelson carry the Lancashire League hopes in the other semi-final when they take on Middleton.

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