WINNING the inaugural Blackburn and Darwen T20 Blast would be a “massive tonic” for struggling Rishton, according to their chairman.

The Blackburn Road outfit will compete in the four-team competition on Sunday alongside hosts and fellow Lancashire League outfit East Lancashire, with Ribblesdale League sides Salesbury and Cherry Tree also in the mix.

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Rishton, who were invited to replace Darwen in the line-up for the tournament, take on Salesbury in the first semi-final and club chairman John Curran said winning a trophy would give the whole club a lift.

“It would be a massive tonic for everyone at the club,” he said.

“We haven’t had the easiest of times this year but winning a trophy would breed confidence that we could hopefully translate into the 50-over format.

“I think Darwen were supposed to be in it but, for whatever reason, they’re not and we were more than happy to accept the invitation to replace them.”

Rishton sit bottom of the Fosters Lancashire League having won only two games this season, but the chairman says the players will enjoy the new competition as “a bit of a break”.

“It’s a great thing to be involved in; as a club we love playing T20 cricket and I think the players enjoy the shorter format,” he said.

“It’s a different format, it’s short and sweet and I think there’s a bit more license to be creative.

“Everyone in the village gets involved when we play a T20; it’s a great thing for the community so hopefully we will have a lot of support over at East Lancs on Saturday.”

Rishton take on Salesbury in the first semi-final at 11am, before East Lancashire take to the field against Cherry Tree at 2pm, with the final taking place at 5pm.

Curran says Rishton are looking forward to a different challenge when they lock horns with their opponents from the Ribblesdale League.

“Salesbury will be a completely new challenge; we’ve never faced them in a competitive T20 match,” he said.

“It will be good to get a look at a different team and a different group of players, but the guys are up for the challenge.

“We fancy ourselves against anyone at T20; we’ve got players that can really affect the shorter game when they’re on their game.

“It’s a four-team competition so there’s no use turning up if you don’t feel like you have a chance of going all the way.

“We’re in it to win it.”

It is a busy weekend for Rishton who face Haslingden in the Lancashire League at Blackburn Road tomorrow.