RAWTENSTALL’S South African professional Brett Pelser has called time on a successful three-year stint at the Worswick Memorial Ground, writes Tony Dewhurst.

Pelser will make his final bow for Rocky in Sunday’s final game of the season, at home to last season’s champions Lowerhouse.

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He has agreed terms with Bolton League outfit Horwich and it leaves Rawtenstall searching for a new pro for the 2016 campaign.

Pelser, who has captained the side this term, made a huge impression following his switch from Northern League outfit Leyland in 2012.

The all-rounder helped guide Rawtenstall to the final of the Worsley Cup last season, and this term he has amassed 600 runs and collected 31 wickets.

“I can’t speak too highly of Brett’s contribution at Rawtenstall, he has proved a model professional on and off the field and we will be sad to see him go,” said spinner Keith Roscoe.

“We had a few chats with Brett about committing to a fourth year, but he has decided that he needs a new challenge.

“He goes with our best wishes.”

Spin legend Roscoe has reeled in 68 league wickets so far, just ten shy of his 2014 total.

He added: “We will not be rushing into a decision, but at the same time we can’t dither too much about who we appoint to replace Brett.

“We’ll have a sit down next week and have a good think.”

After last season’s mid-table finish, Rawtenstall had targeted a top four finish this term – and a Lancashire Cup place.

However, they have suffered an alarming form slump in recent weeks, and while Roscoe has continued to reel in the wickets, their front line batting has failed to fire.

Roscoe added: “The last quarter of the season has proved to be a disappointing one, and that has proved really frustrating.

“We’ve not scored more than 120 runs in our last three games and that’s nowhere near good enough.”

Meanwhile, with Burnley having wrapped up the title, all the attention will be on the race for second place.

There’s just five points separating Ramsbottom, Enfield and Lowerhouse, with Ramsbottom, in second spot, hosting Nelson at Acre Bottom.

Rammy will have ex-Todmorden pro Qaiser Abbas as their substitute professional.

Abbas played one Test match for Pakistan against England in Lahore in 2000.

Enfield are hoping Lancashire’s South African batsman Alviro Petersen will be available to face strugglers Rishton following his mighty 187 against Haslington last weekend.

The 2010 South African Cricketer of the Year, previously professional at Dill Hall Lane, was drafted in as sub pro after his compatriot Graeme van Buuren returned home early.

But while Petersen is likely to be involved in Lancashire’s title showdown against Surrey – beginning at Old Trafford on Monday – Enfield skipper Adam Bracewell is keeping his fingers crossed he will get the green light to be involved on Sunday.

“Alviro said that he has had the OK for now, we are just keeping our fingers crossed,” said Bracewell.

“We are relying on Ramsbottom not winning, but to be in with a shout of second place on the final day is a really great effort.”

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

Read the Saturday interview with Keith Roscoe in tomorrow’s Telegraph.