Northern League: Lomas stays confident (16 July 1999)

16 July 1999

Northern League: Lomas stays confident

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Blackburn Northern professional Mark Lomas is searching for more consistency from his side in a bid to wake the Pleckgate club from their slumbers.

After a disastrous season last year, hopes were high for this campaign after Northern tempted Lomas to quit East Lancs and become their professional.

But the Ribblesdale League club have endured yet another torrid campaign and go into this weekend's double-header against high-flying duo Great Harwood and Padiham in desperate search of a win to breathe new life into their season.

"Consistency is what is letting us down at the moment," said Lomas.

"One week we'll bat well, then the next we'll bowl well, but we're not putting the two together.

"We are equally strong in both departments so there's no reason why we can't do it."

But the chance of stringing together back-to-back victories this weekend won't be easy as Great Harwood and Padiham are both embroiled in the race for the championship. Lomas admits it's a tough proposition but, provided they can keep Indian professional Shantanu Sugwekar in check, he believes they can beat Harwood at home tomorrow which will set them up for Sunday's game at The Arbories.

"From what I've seen of their pro, he's a very good player.

"But Daniel Cheesbrough is also a threat and so are the likes of Richard Lamb, who has had a couple of 50s recently.

"But we gave them a game earlier in the season and there's no reason why we can't again."

Fixtures: Baxenden v Ribblesdale W, Blackburn N v Great Harwood, Clitheroe v Barnoldswick, Earby v Padiham, Edenfield v Whalley, Oswaldtwistle I v Read, Settle v Cherry Tree.

Chorley switch their attention to the second of the Northern League's cup competitions when they entertain Lancaster at Windsor Park tomorrow in the first round of the Vaux Bitter Cup.

Darwen travel to St Annes for their first round match.

Source :: The Lancashire Evening Telegraph