HORSFIELD stages the battle of South Australia tomorrow (Sunday, April 28), as Colne professional Ben Johnson clashes head-to-head with state colleague Dan Marsh.

Both sides finished in the wrong half of the Marsden BS Lancashire League table last season.

But both outfits are suitably impressed with their professional signings for the 1996 season.

Johnson is a left-handed batsman and right arm medium fast bowler who made his debut for South Australia in the 1994/95 season.

And he played in their strong Sheffield Shield side last season, restricting Nelson professional Joe Scuderi's involvement to one-day games.

Johnson was off to a sprint start last weekend, top scoring in the opening programme with 88 and producing a tidy spell of one for 24 from 13 overs.

Colne skipper Gary Hunt said: "He has come very highly recommended by Greg Blewett and the former Nelson pro Jamie Brayshaw.

"And Peter Sleep also speaks very highly of him. "The chairman and committee have worked very hard so that we can afford a better class of professional.

"We also have youngster like Andy Roberts and Jeff Ellis coming through so we are quite optimistic about this season."

Marsh made his first class debut in 1993/94, when he won the Bradman Medal for his performances in grade cricket.

An orthodox left-arm spinner and another right hand bat, he is a regular member of the South Australia one day side.

Son of Aussie legend Rodney Marsh, he captained the Australian Academy against England in 1994.

Ramsbottom have the servives of Peter Sleep secured for the next four matches, starting at home to Accrington as they await the return of Chris Harris from the New Zealand tour of the West Indies.

Accrington have secured a work permit for professional Chad Grainger.

Bacup will again have Fleetwood's Gavin Cooke standing in for Roger Harper, also on duty in the Caribbean when they visit Enfield.

Zimbabwean Guy Whittall is the first permanent professional in the Allan Donald firing line at Bacup Road.

Ratwtenstall skipper Steve Tattersall said: "The groundsman has had the covers on all week but some of the players have been queueing up to take them off again!"

Elsewhere, East Lancs entertain Nelson, Haslingden visit Burnley, while Church are at home to Lowerhouse.

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