LOWERHOUSE professional Martin Van Jaarsveld could once more be a record breaker this season as the Transco Lancashire League enters it's second half.

The South African has so far scored 538 runs-- chasing the club record of 1260 which he set last year.

He didn't have chance to add to his tally last weekend -- bowled out for a duck in Lowerhouse's Saturday victory over defending champions Nelson and scoring four before the rain came down at Bacup on Sunday.

But he can put this right this weekend even though the opposition is tough -- a trip to league leaders Colne tomorrow followed by another difficult game against title challengers Ramsbottom at home on Sunday.

Lowerhouse, after finishing fourth last time out, have only just begun to find their feet this season but are one of the form teams with five wins in their last eight games.

And bowler Matt Hope is pleased the Liverpool Road side have started to show their true colours. "We expected to do well this season especially as Martin agreed to stay on," admitted Matt.

"Martin has been batting really well, I think he has scored as many runs now as he had when he broke the record last season, so I feel we have let him down."

Matt has his own target. He is usually a 40-wicket a season player and has got 18 so far this term -- and would have had more if the six wickets he had taken on Sunday in the game at Lanehead had survived the weather.

"It was good taking the wickets but it's more important we get the runs and start climbing up the league table," admitted Matt.

And even though Matt has heard all the puns concerning his surname -- that Lowerhouse are "Hope-ful" or "Hope-ing" -- he's not bothered as it will mean his side are in the headlines.

"We've heard them all but I just hope that seeing our names in the newspapers means we are getting the right results," said Matt, who, at 28, is the youngest of three Hope brothers who play at Liverpool Road -- with Jez (39) and Nicky (36) the older siblings.

"A lot is made of us being brothers but we have different roles to play."

And Matt will be 'hoping' they all combine this weekend for a double win.

Fixtures: Burnley v Nelson; Church v Accrington; Colne v Lowerhouse; Enfield v Todmorden; Ramsbottom v Haslingden; Rawtenstall v Bacup.