UPBEAT East Lancashire hope Heyside’s South African pro Roelof Hugo will see off the threat posed by Pakistan pace ace Anwar Ali as he fills in for the Blackburn side in their rearranged set-to with bottom club Colne.

Hugo, a hugely impressive wicket-keeper batsman, will go into battle with the express delivery of Ali at Alexandra Meadows as East Lancs try to maintain their seat at the top of the table.

They were well set last weekend when the rain came down but skipper Mark Bolton is not taking anything for granted against a Colne side he rates despite their lowly league position.

“I think everyone knows that Colne are not a basement side,” said Bolton.

“They have had a bad start but they have a top professional and some good amateurs.

“It won’t be an easy game against them and I just hope that with Hugo being South African and being well used to fast bowling he will be able to look after Anwar.

“We played against Hugo in the Lancashire Cup back in April and he is a good bat and has scored bundles of runs in the Saddleworth League for Heyside and I hope he can do a job for us.”

East Lancashire are without Mark Lomas for the game with veteran third team skipper Nick West-head stepping in.

There is another chance for bitter rivals Ramsbottom and Haslingden to lock horns as they clash again at Acre Bottom.

Ramsbottom skipper Jon Fielding admitted he was glad to see the rain after his side’s innings was wrecked by the weather on the original date last Sunday – and he is looking forward to the derby.

“The rain saved us to be honest,” he said.

“We lost a lot of overs and were really on the back foot after all the stoppages but thankfully it didn’t stop and Haslindgen couldn’t bat.

“It did wreck the game and hopefully it will be a good day tomorrow.

“We are both good sides and we are looking forward to it.”

Haslingden are still missing skipper Graham Knowles with his finger injury so all-rounder Steve Dearden leads the team against his old Ramsbottom team-mates.

Nelson were on the ropes against Rishton last weekend but will look to a full strength side to get back to their form when they sides meet again.

Colin Pemberton’s men have been impressive in recent weeks as have Church, who face unpredictable Todmorden at West End.

Burnley travel to Enfield looking to improve on last week and Accrington are at Lowerhouse in what promises to be a good game.

saturday games

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