IT would be easy to mistake one of Brent Peters' most recent captures at Bacup Borough Football Club for a strapping rugby player, writes ANDY NEILD.

But then Emon Ratu - who weighs in at nearly 15st and tops six feet - IS a strapping rugby player.

Ratu began this season in the colours of Rochdale Hornets playing in the Stones Bitter Rugby League First Division.

And he once scored two tries against the mighty Wigan at Central Park while playing for Swinton back in the early 90s, in front of 17,000 vociferous fans.

In a career spanning six years he played as a winger, a centre, and latterly a forward for Swinton and then Rochdale, after catching the eye in a one-off appearance for Smallbridge Amateurs - a side run by his dad.

Rugby was in his blood after following in his father's footsteps. Mike Ratu, who also played for the Hornets in the 60s, was one of the first Fijian's to enter the English game. These days, away trips to North West Counties League outfits such as Woodley Sports, in front of less than 150, are now on the agenda.

How then, you might ask, did a Rochdale-Fijian end up kicking a flourishing rugby career into touch to join the mini revolution currently gathering pace at West View?

It was Borough manager Peters, spotting the 29-year-old Ratu playing for his local pub team in the Rochdale and District Sunday League, who recognised his potential before an approach to sign him. And as it was the rugby close season, Emon decided to take up the challenge.

"I was very impressed with Brent when I first spoke to him and he played a large part in getting me to join Bacup," said Ratu.

"Just from talking to him I got a great sense of the professionalism there is at the club."

The signing of Paul Moulden was another factor as the pair built up a friendship when Ratu was playing for the Hornets - Moulden had a spell playing for Rochdale who share their Spotland ground.

Since coming into the side for the suspended Gary Dalton, Ratu has built up a great understanding with fellow defenders Anthony Doran and Dave Mycock - instrumental in Borough's surge up the league table.

Indeed, Dalton has since decided to quit the club and sign for Woodley after failing to win back his place.

But the transition hasn't been all plain sailing. "Playing football in the NWCFL requires a different kind of fitness to that needed in rugby because you have to be much more agile," said Ratu.

"I found it quite hard when I first started because my pace wasn't there. But now I feel I'm finding my feet."

And he's enjoying his football so much at present he has shelved any plans of a return to the Hornets - for whom he made 120 appearances and scored over 20 tries - for the new rugby season.

"Playing football at this standard has given me a new lease of life. We've got a great team spirit going and I'm working with one of the best coaches I've played under at any level and in any sport," said Ratu.

"Brent is a superb motivator and there's no doubt the club is going places.

"At the moment I am just seeing how things go. My first aim is to get Bacup out of the Second Division. But I would like to try and play at the highest level I possibly can."

It would take a brave man to stand in his way.

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