EAST Lancashire go into the first Lancashire League double header of the season - as bookies favourites - with mixed emotions.

For while chairman Larry Pearson admits confidence is at all time high at the Alexandra Meadows, the burden of being championship favourites is something they could do without.

He said: "We all know we are capable of winning the title but making us favourites means people will be expected us to win it. It is something we could do without but I suppose we will have to live with it."

East Lancs showed their credentials on the opening day of the season on Sunday with a superb win over Nelson with professional Billy Stelling in scintillating form.

After four wickets for 13 runs and a quick-fire 21 with the bat, Pearson admitted big things are expected from the giant South African all-rounder.

He said: "Billy had a great first season with us last year and now that he knows all about the highs and lows of Lancashire League cricket we are hoping for an even better campaign this time."

Fixtures:

Saturday (April 26): Burnley v Accrington, Church v Bacup, Colne v Rishton, East Lancs v Haslingden, Enfield v Lowerhouse, Ramsbottom v Todmorden, Rawtenstall v Nelson.

Sunday (April 27): Accrington v Colne, Bacup v Burnley, Haslingden v Enfield, Lowerhouse v East Lancs, Nelson v Church, Rishton v Ramsbottom, Todmorden v Rawtenstall.

MEET THE LOCAL TEAMS

Accrington:

Pro: Nathan Astle - Kiwi all-rounder who hit the headlines this winter when his 102 innings in a 10th-wicket stand with Danny Morrison denied England victory.

Ins: Billy Rastron

Outs: Tofiq Khan

Last season: 14th

Church

Pro: Brendan Creevey - A right hand middle order bat and medium fast bowler from Australia who has broken into the Queensland side.

Ins: David Catlow

Outs: Neil Perry

Last season: 11th

East Lancs

Pro: Billy Stelling - Giant South African who was big hit in the Lancs League last season taking 75 wickets and scoring 589 runs.

Ins: Phil Mooney

Outs: none

Last season: 2nd

Enfield

Pro: Shane Lee - Aussie with County League experience for Somerset where he scored more than 1,300 runs last season.

Ins: none

Outs: none

Last season: 10th

Rishton

Pro: Merryck Pringle - has the ominous task of taking over from his record-breaking fellow countryman Allan Donald who guided Rishton to the title last season.

Ins: none

Outs: none

Last season: 1st

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