SCOTT PEARCE is a man on a double mission - to help guide Great Harwood to third spot in the table and carve out a county league career for himself.

The talented Australian has waited patiently to serve his time in local league cricket but now is preparing himself for the toughest test of his career. Pearce, who holds a British passport because his fatherwas born here, has had to wait four years to be eligible to move up to county cricket.

In that time as a professional he has enjoyed a season at Settle and two successful campaigns as championship-chasing Cherry Tree. This year, however, he has rejoined the amateur ranks at Great Harwood as he ponders his future.

He said: "I have had a great time playing in the Ribblesdale League but now is the time for me to test myself at county cricket level. I have a few options to pursue but nothing for definite."

Pearce admits he has not helped put himself in the shop window and has had a disappointing season by his own high standards with just over 300 runs to his name so far. But that will not put off the determined Aussie.

He added: "I know I could have done better this season and I am disappointed about that but I want to play county cricket and I will be giving it my best shot to fix myself up with a side for next season."

However Pearce has set his sights on shooting down fourth-placed Padiham on Saturday who remain Great Harwood's main rivals for that third spot.

Fixtures: Saturday, August 9 - Barnoldswick v Baxenden, Clitheroe v Blackburn N, Earby v Cherry Tree, Edenfield v Whalley, Gt Harwood v Padiham, Oswaldtwistle Imm v Ribblesdale W, Read v Settle.

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