THE last time Rishton won the Lancashire League title, a certain Allan Donald was intimidating opposition batsmen into submission at Blackburn Road.

Now 11 years on, Andy Bartley's unsung heroes are hoping to emulate Donald and that class of 1996 by holding their nerve during the run-in, and claiming their first league crown of the 21st century.

The club has experienced some difficult times since it won back-to-back titles in the mid-1990s, in the days of star attractions like Donald and West Indian all-rounder Phil Simmons.

But, thanks to the efforts of Bartley and Pakistani professional Saeed Anwar junior, those good times look set to roll again, with Rishton on the brink of their eighth league title going into the last half dozen games of the season.

And although Rawtenstall are hard on their heels after six straight wins have catapulted them into second place, Rishton's stand-in skipper, Scott Greaves, is adamant he and his team-mates have the bottle' to see off their closest challengers during the run-in.

"This is a new experience for a lot of the players because we've never been in this position before, but we are trying not to look too far ahead," said Greaves.

"We've been top of the league for a while now, and you do start thinking what it would be like to win the title in the back of your mind.

"But we've just got to try and take each game as it comes. No-one is feeling the pressure at the moment, we're just enjoying our cricket and trying to win matches.

"We've got some seasoned players in the team in the likes of Andy (Bartley), John Seedle, Jimmy Bibby and myself, so there's a good mix of youth and experience, and I think that helps."

Business commitments in Russia mean that Bartley will be missing for tomorrow's trip to Colne, and Greaves believes his absence will be a big loss for the leaders, who currently hold a 20 point advantage at the top with six games remaining.

"It's a blow to lose Andy at this stage because he's kept the ship on course this season," said Greaves.

"He's probably our best amateur batsman and because he's our wicketkeeper, he sees everything that's going on in a game.

"He's very good at getting his points across and then we carry them out."

Elsewhere, third-placed East Lancs, who beat Rishton last weekend, will look to step up their own challenge with a victory against Haslingden.

Veteran opener David Pearson needs just 21 more runs for 13,000 in the Lancashire League.

Meanwhile, Nelson are set to lose professional Craig McMillan this weekend.

The Kiwi has been selected for New Zealand's 15-man squad for the Twenty-20 World Cup.

SPONSORBANK Lancashire League: Accrington v Enfield; Bacup v Ramsbottom; Haslingden v Rawtenstall; Lowerhouse v Burnley; nelson v Colne; Rishton v Church; Todmorden v East Lancs.