NEIL CORDINGLEY may not pick up any honours at Whalley this season but he has no regrets about taking up his first professional job.

The 26-year-old left Darwen last season, the club he had been at since he was eight, to take up the pro job at Station Road.

While Whalley have had something of an indifferent season, Darwen are currently topping the Northern Premier League helped by his brothers Gareth and John.

But he is happy to let them have their success, while he concentrates on making an impact at Whalley.

"I had been at Darwen all my life but I jumped at the chance when Whalley asked me to come and be their pro," said Cordingley.

"It was hard to leave, especially all my family and friends but I keep a check on how they are doing.

"It is great that they are top of the league and I hope they win the title.

"Gareth is having a great season with the bat and John is perhaps not doing as well but he is younger.

"I also keep in touch with the captain Jeff Hacking.

"I am happy for them but I am enjoying the experience of being at Whalley."

What has made it even better is he is now finding his form in the Jennings Ribblesdale League.

Although his side are fifth from bottom, Whalley are currently going through a good spell and last weekend Cordingley enjoyed his highest knock of the season.

He scored 83 - with two sixes and 12 fours - in Whalley's win over Padiham which was one of only two league games finished on Saturday because of the weather.

"My previous best was 75 not out against Clitheroe so I was happy with this and now I have got to keep improving.

"I did have a bit of luck as I was dropped but you have to capitalise on it. I was just pleased to get a score. I had been struggling but it wasn't a soggy pitch, it was nice and dry, and I was able to try a few more shots.

"I was due a knock and I have been playing with a bit more confidence.

"We had a great start to the season and then went through a bit of a lull but we have started to pick up.

"We have won two out of the last three games now and hopefully we can go on from there."

Cordingley's switch from amateur to pro has been helped by Whalley captain Jason Smith, a former professional.

"Obviously, there is a lot more responsibility as a professional and I am enjoying it," continued the paid man.

"The Whalley lads made me feel really welcome.

"Jason is excellent to have as a captain. He is laid back and he is easy to talk to and approach, especially when I have been struggling. He has been a pro so he has been there.

"He is bowling really well at the moment, he got four wickets on Saturday and five last week and five before that. He is on fire with the ball and it is good to have someone like him around."

While his brothers may be lifting a league title and Whalley are at the wrong end of the table, Cordingley still hopes he can have an impact on who wins the Ribblesdale League crown.

It is tight at the top with the top four - Cherry Tree, Barnoldswick, Read and Settle - separated by just three points.

"We have beat Padiham and that could affect their title hopes and we have Read next week so we could still have a say on who wins this title - and we will be out to upset as many as possible."