South African star Francois Haasbroek wants to win the Lancashire League title for Lowerhouse this weekend – and reckons the celebrations will be something to savour if the House get over the line.

The long-time leaders need just 19 points from their final three games to ensure only the club’s second title but Haasbroek is determined to seal the silverware in this weekend’s double header after being summoned back to his home team Free State.

He will miss the final game as he jets back to Bloemfontein early next week but has already agreed terms to return to Liverpool Road for next season.

But firstly he wants to bow out on a high.

“I am the club’s professional and I want to win the title before I go,” he said. “It is my job as pro and I don’t want to leave it with someone else.

“It’s such a big occasion for club to win a league and I sure want to be part of it.

“With cricket you have to have a good social side and I don’t want to miss out on the celebrations at Lowerhouse either.

“They will be good.”

Haasbroek, a close friend of East Lancashire professional Ockert Erasmus, has scored 628 runs at a shade under 37 and taken 75 wickets to lead the Lowerhouse charge towards the crown they have only won once before, back in 2005.

And they could win the title this afternoon at East Lancs if they win and other results go their way.

“That would be good,” he smiled. “We want to win both games this weekend but if we could win today and Colne could do us a favour then that would be great.

“I have seen Ockie about three or four times this week and there has been a bit of banter flying about and there will be in the game.

“But the beauty of us both speaking Afrikaans is that no-one will have a clue what we are saying.

“Seriously though you have to play hard and celebrate hard – and if we win it I am sure Ockie will want to congratulate us.”

Haasbroek has been a revelation this year – and he says he is as impressed with the standard of the Lancashire League as the fans are with him.

“It is my first time in the Lancashire League but I have played league cricket over here before and this is good,” he said.

“I played in the Liverpool Competition but the Lancashire League is much more competitive.

“Rishton are down the bottom of the league but they have upset all of the leading sides this season and you don’t get that very often.

“Every player you talk to wants to play in the Lancashire League – and to win it is even better.

“I just hope we win it before I go back home.”

Lowerhouse will employ former Colne pro Anwar Ali for the final game against Accrington.

Ali, who fired Colne to Worsley Cup glory last season and also acted as sub-pro as Clitheroe won the Ribblesdale League has claimed 82 wickets in all competitions for Northern League Morecambe this season.