amateur bid CAPTAIN Mark Griffin has revealed the key to Haslingden's Lancashire League championship drive - amateur power!

The title favourites were left stranded without a professional after Aussie Brad McNamara returned Down Under due to injury.

That left Haslingden to battle through the remainder of the campaign with a series of substitute pro's, filling in on a game by game basis.

But, including McNamara, all the paid hands have yet to total 50 wickets or 500 runs between them.

"I think it is testament to the amateur talent at Haslingden that we have battled on and retained the lead," said Griffin.

"Players like Jack Simpson, Steve Dearden and Michael Ingham have pulled out all the stops. They are brave players, that is why we have led from the front for so long.

"Of course, losing our professional was a major blow to us and in some ways we have never recovered.

"Since Brad left only Gordon Parsons has really done the business for us. He got 60 at Rishton, but we've not had a really big batting performance.

"That is disappointing because you need a professional firing on all cylinders.

"We've had a stutter over the past few weeks but the championship is in our hands still."

Strangely, Haslingden's dip in form has coincided with the Worsley Cup success over Burnley at Turf Moor.

But they still remain favourites to clinch a remarkable double with Scott Wiliams substitute professional for tomorrow's crucial fixture against Church at Bentgate.

"Prior to this weekend we haven't won a game since we won the Cup," added Griffin.

"We were turned over against Ramsbottom and Todmorden but now it is make or break time for us.

"We cannot afford any more mistakes with Enfield, East Lancs and Lowerhouse breathing down our necks.

"We cannot afford to go out and underestimate Church because Brendan Creevey, their professional, has got his act together and they will be keen to do well here."

Haslingden wind their season up at Enfield next weekend - a fixture which could decide the destiny of the championship.

"It is a nervous time but the title race looks like it will go the last game. That could mean us needing a result at Enfield.

"They've put together a remarkable run of results, but they've played that extra game which could prove decisive.

"It has probably proved a tighter finish than a lot of people anticipated.

"Not so long ago we were seven points clear of the rest, but now we've lost our safety buffer.

"We have to back ourselves and we are determined not to throw the championship away."

East Lancs will be favourites to pick up maximum points at Accrington while Enfield, with Shane Lee back in the fold, travel to champions Rishton.

Lowerhouse must beat Rawtenstall to keep their slim title hopes alive against the bottom of the table strugglers at Liverpool Road. Accrington v East Lancs

Bacup v Colne

Haslingden v Church

Lowerhouse v Rawtenstall

Nelson v Ramsbottom

Rishton v Enfield

Todmorden v Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.