HASLINGDEN captain Stuart Taylor had more reason than most to curse last Sunday's downpour which has forced him out of his side's Worsley Cup semi-final with Colne.

Both semis were washed out a week ago and have been re-arranged for tomorrow when Taylor will be unavailable to lead double-chasing Haslingden. "It's one of those things," said the rueful skipper, who will hand the reigns on to professional Brad McNamara.

There's a similar scenario at Colne, who will be led by paid man Joe Scuderi in the absence of suspended captain Gary Laycock. The in-form Scuderi has no qualms about taking on added responsibility and Taylor knows McNamara will be the same. "It comes naturally to them and he helps me out every week anyway. It's their job," said Taylor, whose place in the Haslingden bowling attack will be taken by Michael Blomley. Taylor is optimistic that Haslingden are well equipped to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against East Lancashire last weekend when the margin was just two runs.

And with Haslingden also out to avenge last season's semi-final defeat to Colne, he is hopeful of hearing good news when he phones for the result from the Horsfield tomorrow night.

Taylor added: "That's still at the back of our minds and we want to put the record straight.

"Apart from the start of the batting last week we should have walked that game.

"We had a disastrous start but apart from that we deserved to win and I've no doubt that we can bounce back."

Worsley Cup holders East Lancs, also chasing the double as they occupy second place in the EW Cartons Lancasdhire League, will start out as favourites when they take on Enfield in the other game at Alexandra Meadows.

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