LOSTOCK are happy to be written off if it means they continue the way they have started the season.

The team with no ground were few people's choices to finish in a top-half position in the 21-team Bolton League this season.

They still aren't, and after winning three and losing two games so far, including a 172-run beating of Astley Bridge last Saturday, that's just the way captain Geoff Earle likes it.

"We seem to get written off a little bit," said the skipper whose side play Heaton on Saturday and Adlington in the quarter-finals of the Hamer Cup at Farnworth's ground on Sunday. "A few teams may have had their eyes open by that result last weekend.

"It was a bit of a statement and hopefully we can keep it going.

"We've played Farnworth Social Circle and Westhoughton, two of the better teams, and have had our free weekend.

"We've a few games coming up that we've targeted to win. Everyone's aim is to finish in the top half to get a place in the top division, if it goes to two divisions.

"We struggle for consistency and are still a bit in the unknown in this league and learning about the other clubs."

Lostock's other league wins were against fellow ex-Bolton Association clubs Atherton and Blackrod – whom they beat by 86 runs in the game before the Astley Bridge win – and they continued the successful run with a thrilling one-run victory at Bradshaw in the Dixon Air Conditioning Twenty20 competition three nights ago.

One of their surprise stars of the season has been Nick Jeffs who has scored 216 in the last two games.

"He has started the season unbelievably," said Earle. "He's seeing it like a beach ball, he can't go wrong at the moment and has already passed his runs mark from last season.

"The bowlers, as a unit, create pressure. Robbie Holgate has got 20 wickets, David Flanagan is bowling really well too and the whole team's backing them up well.

"The overseas, Jaydyn Simmons from Sydney, has made a good start with a couple of 50s and a ton.

"He's only 21 and it's his first time abroad and he's really fit into the club ethic helping out with junior and senior coaching."

After losing their old ground and leaving the Association more than a decade ago, Lostock played home games in Haydock until this season when they are playing all their games on the opposition's ground or at a neutral venue while their new ground is being built.

That tough time has had its benefits though as the players and officials have stuck together.

"Loyalty is a big part of our club," said Earle. "The team spirit and togetherness is second to none. We're all good mates off the field.

"Everyone has been together so long they all know how each other is going to play on the field. And everyone plays hard.

"We're really enjoying it in the Bolton League. It's great going to new grounds, playing against new players, a new T20 league – and with cup games on Sundays there's good continuation.

"If one game is rained off you're likely to play the next day so you never go too long without a game.

"Anyone can beat anyone. It's very competitive and at times tough but that's when we perform at our best, when our backs are against the wall.

"We are a club that works together and perhaps that it is born out of the challenges we have faced over the years, but it's bearing fruit.”

The club will hold its second Hall of Fame dinner at the Holiday Inn in Bolton town centre next Friday and they have had a productive time off the field, striking up sponsorship partnerships with Westhoughton-based accountants EKW Group – who sponsor the club's Lostock Spitfires T20 team and kit – and the Manchester Region of charity, HCPT.

Club chairman Danny Cockton said of the club's current lack of a home ground: "We would like to thank all the member clubs and the league administration for their support during this transitional phase.

"We sincerely appreciate the support and encouragement offered. We are making progress, and are looking forward to opening the doors later in the year."

Tickets are available for the Hall of Fame dinner by contacting the club via www.lostock.play-cricket.com