EXPERIENCED allrounder Andy Taylor is hopeful Horwich can continue the fine traditions of Bolton League teams in the Lancashire Knockout.

Walkden, Greenmount and Farnworth have all excelled in the prestigious competition in recent years, and RMI want to add their name to that list.

They host Central Lancashire League side Heywood in the second round tomorrow, and Taylor is looking forward to the test.

“Bolton teams do tend to do well in this competition so we have aspirations of continuing that,” he said.

“We are doing well in the National Knockout too so, while it can be difficult playing Saturday and Sunday every week, this is where we want to be as a club, competing for these trophies.”

A number of players are making their mark down at the Recreation Ground, including Raki Mahmood, the brother of Lancashire and England paceman Sajid.

“Raki bowls at a decent pace and is gettting a few wickets this season,” said Taylor.

“He was our player of the year last summer, yet he is bowling even better this season. He is chipping in with a few runs too.

“Then there is Nick Davies, who scored his maiden 50 in the first team last week. He is head boy at Bolton School, plays for their senior team and will be going to either Oxford or Cambridge University later this year. He obviously has a bright future.

“At the top of the order, Joe Settle is another young lad we have brought into the team and he has got us off to a few good starts.”

South African professional Martin Walters has had a slow start, but Taylor is confident it will not be long before he starts firing on all cylinders.

“Martin has struggled to adapt to the English wickets a bit,” he said.

“But, with the weather improving, I am sure that will help him. It is obvious he has got a lot of ability and he is a good batsman.

“He scored 167 not out for Somerset seconds in a trial match and he bowls decent off-spin, so we are very confident he will prove to be a good signing for us.”