CHRIS Holt has transformed Burnley from also-rans to title challengers ahead of Sunday’s tasty joust with champions Lowerhouse at Turf Moor.

After last season’s frustrating bottom four finish, Burnley sit top of the table, a point ahead of a Lowerhouse team now well used to collecting title silverware, having won championships in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

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“This time last year we couldn’t buy a win, and I couldn’t buy a run, but I really think we have the ability to make a big title challenge this year,” said Holt.

“Last season, somebody set up a twitter account – Have Burnley won yet?

“I think it took us 11 games to get a win and that hurt.

“Now we’ve won six of our first eight fixtures and that’s a tremendous achievement.”

Holt, the former Read, Colne and Padiham all-rounder, chipped in with 624 runs last term, as well as reeling in 52 wickets in his first season as Burnley’s paid man.

And while he only fired in the second half of the campaign, his 18 wickets so far, coupled with Michael Brown’s sparkling form with the bat have given the Worsley Cup holders fresh hope.

Brown is averaging 50 including a gutsy 98 at Church last month.

“Everybody is contributing this season and there’s a terrific atmosphere, and I certainly feel a lot more comfortable as their professional because I’ve got to know everybody and we’ve just clicked,” added Holt.

“I didn’t have a great start last term and I probably felt under a lot more pressure because I was starting to over think things when we didn’t get the results.

“Now we are getting wins and David Brown, the skipper Bharat Tripathi and a terrific young prospect – Jhangir Liaquat - who’s bowling out of his skin this season - have given us a real impetus.

Holt, though, can’t hide his admiration for Lowerhouse’s achievements under their skipper Charlie Cottam.

“They’ve bred winners at Lowerhouse, and I like their lads, they are a fine team who are brilliantly led by Charlie,” added Holt.

“You can’t underestimate the job he has done at Liverpool Road and I think they are going to be strong for many years to come because they are still a young side with a lot of potential.”

Burnley last won the championship in 2006 and only Nelson have won more titles than the Turf Moor men, who have claimed 14.

Holt added “If we can beat Lowerhouse it would be a statement of intent from Burnley, but whoever wins then the pressure is on them to maintain it because it is a long season.”