JACK Wainman believes Eagley’s victory over Blackrod on Saturday, just their third in this season’s Bolton League Association division, was an important one as they build for the future.

Captain Wainman has described 2018 as “an investment in the kids”, but he is hoping for a much more competitive campaign next year.

Eagley completed the double over Blackrod as they won at home by seven wickets chasing 112 with almost 10 overs to spare.

They fielded a weaker side than normal due to holidays and injury, and Wainman says winning keeps players on their toes.

“We’ve won with a few missing, and it means that places aren’t set in stone. They have to work hard for their spot,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

“I said a few weeks ago we can’t win anything, so our next few games are about selection for the first team next year.”

After electing to bowl, Danny Cain, an off-spinner in his mid-twenties, stood out with 4-28 from 12 overs to restrict Blackrod to 111-9 from their 50 overs.

Each member of Eagley’s five-man attack struck, including former Bradshaw bowler Steve Foster.

“Danny bowls pies, he steals the odd wicket with a pie or two,” joked Wainman.

“Seriously, he works really hard on his bowling.

“He got a hat-trick against Social Circle in the Stafford Cup a few weeks ago, and he’s come on leaps and bounds.

“At the beginning of the season, I thought I’ll give him a bowl as much as I can. Now he’s a first-change bowler.”

Eagley’s reply was then never in doubt. Sri Lankan professional Kasun Adikari led the way with 55 not out, while opener Daniel Burke (19) and Matthew Hicks (30) added useful contributions.

“The pro batted the best I’ve seen him,” said Wainman.

“That win was great for morale. The changing room was a brilliant place to be on Saturday night.

“We were on a losing streak, and the last time we won was against Blackrod, so we’ve done the double over them.

“It makes people believe we can do it because losing got a bit repetitive. To win as comfortably as we did as well only adds to the good feeling.”

Eagley are six points behind second-bottom Darcy Lever with two games remaining, against Golborne away on Saturday and at home to Tonge the following week.

Both sides can still win promotion, and Wainman is keen to put a spanner in the works.

“We wanted to do as well as we could this year, but it hasn’t gone as planned,” he added. “However, it’s been an investment in the kids.

“You can see how much they’ve come on already. Louis Seigne and James Fallows have been brilliant, for example.

“I’m confident we’re going to win our next two games. We go into them with nothing to lose, while other teams are panicking for wins.

“We’ll do our best to upset them, as horrible as that sounds. We want people to start realising that they can’t just turn up and beat Eagley.

“Next season I’m hoping we’ll be fighting to get up into that top division.”