EXPERIENCED Blackrod player Graeme Walsh believes the team is starting to measure up to the quality shown by ace professional Thushendra de Zoysa.

De Zoysa has been one of the star pros of the league in the last couple of years, but while he has raised the bar, a number of his team-mates are now stepping up to support his efforts.

Not least one of the most familiar characters in the side, Chris Sanderson.

The captain and one-club man has been a major player with the bat, and done well with the ball in a difficult period personally.

He lost his father, Peter, two weeks ago but played the next game and hit a magnificent unbeaten century.

Sanderson followed that up last week by scoring 56 and taking 3-30 to help Blackrod beat Astley and Tyldesley in the Cross Cup, the day after A&T had got the better of the sides in the league in a game which took on an eerily similar pattern.

Joe Speak, son of former Lancashire player Gary Speak, has also been in good form with the ball and wicketkeeper Zak Burton has been impressive behind the stumps and with the bat.

Blackrod are in eighth place in the Bolton Association, 23 points behind the leaders following four wins and three defeats.

While few outside the club are tipping them for the title, the players believe they can beat anybody on their day and, at the very least, challenge for a top six spot.

"We need to take the burden off Tush de Zoysa," said former captain Walsh.

"He's a fantastic player and a fantastic person to have around the club, but this season is all about enjoying it.

"Top six is a realistic expectation and if we can get it we can push on from there.

"We're going well in the Cross Cup, we've won two games in it so far and we'll look to go as far as we can.

"A lot has been built around players who have come through the junior ranks.

"We've got nine lads who have played junior cricket for Blackrod who are playing week in, week out for the first team.

"And we have got six or seven players in the second team who are 16 or 17 years old.

"In the first team, Chris (Sanderson) did very well in what was a difficult week and we were all pleased for him after what he has gone through.

"We've brought in Steven Ashworth from Greenmount and Joe Speak who is our leading wicket taker.

"But we have nine of the lads who have progressed through the juniors and that makes for a good spirit.

"We've four bowlers who are all playing really well and all taken 15 wickets, which means we're not relying on one bowler and Sandy (Chris Sanderson) has come into form with the bat.

"Taking the burden off Tush de Zoysa is something we need to address. He's a fantastic cricket player and off the field he's a really good club man and we are really lucky to have him.

"Zak Burton has done really well, he got 20-odd on Sunday to win the game and 40-odd another game.

"All in all top six is a realistic expectation and then push on from there and go as far as we can in the Cross Cup."

Saturday's fixtures: Atherton v Astley & Tyldesley, Blackrod v Adlington, Bury v Flixton, Edgworth v Darcy Lever, Golborne v Little Hulton, Lostock v Standish, Swinton Moorside v Westleigh, Walshaw v Worsley, Winton v Daisy Hill.