BRAGGING rights, banter and unbeaten records - it has been a good season for Church CC.

The West End club go in to tomorrow’s President Cup’s semi final against Walsden as the only club in the league not to have lost a competitive game in the delayed season.

And captain Levi Wolfenden would love to stretch that record over another two games to complete a perfect campaign - albeit a campaign like no other due to Covid-19.

With the regular season shelved and replaced by the President’s Cup - where clubs have been split in to four groups - Church have revelled in the 40-over format.

And having already beaten Enfield to lift the Hyndburn T20 Cup competition - Wolfenden leading the way with a knock of 63 and taking two wickets - Church have once again underlined their ability to shine in the cups.

In the last 10 years, they have reached six cup finals - unfortunately beaten three times in Worsley Cups but have twice won the league’s T20 Cup plus the borough version of the competition.

Despite, that Wolfenden says his side do not focus on the shorter formats of the game.

“I wouldn’t say we are cup specialists but we just seem to like the format, especially T20,” said the 27-year-old all-rounder. “But it is not something we work on particularly. We just like it and seem to be pretty good at it.”

Church topped Group Two to reach the knockout stages, a group that included all the Hyndburn teams plus East Lancashire.

And he said trying to get one over your nearest rivals drummed up plenty of interest.

“Playing all the other teams in Hyndburn has been brilliant,” he added. “You can’t beat a local derby to stir up interest and a bit of rivalry, whether it is Church against Enfield, Burnley against Lowerhouse or Colne against Nelson.

“There is always local pride and bragging rights at stake and, of course, plenty of banter flying around.

“The spectators love it too and turn up in their numbers which is vital when you think how long clubs were closed for. It has brought in some vital funds.

He added: “I think the league have done a great job in difficult circumstances, the borough group has been a big success.”

Church finished the group with a near perfect record - finishing with a home win over East Lancs - only an abandoned match against Great Harwood denying them the chance of a clean sweep of victories.

And having won all the T20 games without taking a step outside the borough, it’s been a happy Hyndburn hunting ground for Church.

While Walsden pose a bigger threat, Church, with home advantage, will fancy their chances of reaching the final where they will play either Clitheroe or Ramsbottom next weekend.

“They won the league in their first season two years ago and were runners-up last year so we know they are a good team,” he said. “But at home, we fancy ourselves against anyone.

“We know it will be hard and we will have to be on top of our game and they will have to be off theirs but we are really looking forward to it.”

Wolfenden says it has already been a successful, shortened season for Church no matter what happens against Walsden.

“We have achieved what we set out to achieve,” he said. “Whatever happens at the weekend or in the final, we are happy with the way things have gone.”