TODMORDEN skipper Andrew Sutcliffe admits he is relishing the showdown between the two leading professionals in Lancashire League cricket.

Bilawal Bhatti plundered an incredible 188 in last weekend's Todmorden success over Enfield in a stunning performance but tomorrow he comes up against the only man ahead of him in the league averages in Ramsbottom's Daryn Smit.

The South African is averaging 208.66 from his 10 innings which includes a high score of 137 not out.

And Sutcliffe is hoping that his Pakistan pro Bhatti can build on his impressive league debut from six days ago.

"As debuts go it was fantastic," said the Todmorden skipper.

"Some of the shots he was playing were incredible.

"He lost four cricket balls and played a really tremendous innings.

"Hopefully he can carry that form on now.

"Obviously it was his first game and to come in and play like he did was remarkable.

"It could be quite a game on Saturday against the Ramsbottom pro."

Sutcliffe also believes that the presence of Bhatti, who only arrived in the country this month after commitments in his homeland, in the starting line-up can help propel Todmorden towards a top four finish this season.

He added: "It has not been ideal playing without your pro.

"It has been a difficult period.

"But we have got a couple of tough games coming up now and it is great to have him here and playing so well.

"We have to be looking at the top four now.

"I think there are three teams in Burnley, Lowerhouse and Ramsbottom who are ahead of everybody else.

"But there is no reason why we can't get into fourth place. I imagine there are a few teams saying the same thing but the challenge is there for us."

Todmorden are currently sitting in seventh place in the table ahead of the weekend fixtures while Ramsbottom are up in third, a point behind second placed Lowerhouse.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Burnley v Accrington, Church v Bacup, Colne v Rishton, East Lancs v Haslingden, Enfield v Lowerhouse, Ramsbottom v Todmorden, Rawtenstall v Nelson.