WHEN a strapping skinhead with a couple of tattoos emerges from the Bacup dressing room chewing on a whopping cheese butty, grips your hand like a steel vice and tells you he is James Peterson you begin to smell a rat, writes TONY DEWHURST.

Wait a minute. I recalled Peterson as that swarth, dark-haired Australian who put Ribblesdale League bowlers to the sword in 1995 and 1996.

Seconds later, and still peeling off his pads, the genuine article appears with a grin as wide as the Rossendale Valley.

The imposter, bruising wicketkeeper John Chapman, takes his cue and disappears back inside the door to peels of laughter and exuberance.

"Sorry about that mate, they are always up to something," chuckled Peterson. "They like a bit of a practical joke here!"

If Bacup are going to win anything this season the special spirit in that dressing room might prove a very big factor.

"It is too early to say how we are going to do, but I've already seen enough to suggest that we can put up a fight for the title."

And maybe Bacup might just be worth a flutter because, fuelled by the powerhouse batting of Peterson, they could be the surprise packets of 1997.

Take a look at Peterson's contribution in the first month of the season as Bacup, who last won the title in 1960, appear poised for a championship drive.

The all-rounder has carved out a mammoth 384 runs and carried his bat twice, posting an astounding average of 128 from five innings.

Not bad for your first season in Lancashire League cricket.

It was just a crying shame that the curtain of drenching rain which descended over the valley for an hour precluded any result as proceedings finally ground to a halt at 4.35pm with just 38 minutes of play having proved possible. Mark Taylor was Nasir Iqbal's early victim seconds before the cloudburst. And when the teams returned just before 3.45pm with only seven overs bowled it was clear that conditions were still dangerous underfoot.

Peterson drove Billy Stelling to the ropes with a ferocious drive, with the South African battling to keep his balance in the wet footmarks.

And, when two minutes later, the batting partnership of Peter Killelea and Peterson lost their footing on the saturated surface, the umpires reluctantly called the contest off after a further short delay.

The step up from Ribblesdale League, though, has not proved a hardship for the ex-Barnoldswick pro who chiselled out 1,331 runs and landed 76 wickets last year.

He is clearly revelling in the awesome task of following in the giant footsteps of West Indian Roger Harper, who ruled the roost at Lanehead with from 1989 to 1996.

"A few people were a bit surprised that I was offered a contract by Bacup because Lancashire League teams do tend to go for first class or Test match players," he added.

"It was a big to act to follow and it was very flattering to be asked.

"I suppose it was a bit of gamble by Bacup but I see it as tremendous honour.

"Maybe I can offer the side other things. Even though Roger had a great season they weren't winning the tight games.

"I think that is the reason they went for me because I was a young Australian rather than a character who was maybe a bit aloof.

"I think Bacup wanted a bit more than just a cricket professional."

Barnoldswick made overtures for a third season at Victory Park - but Peterson knew it was to take another step forward to augment his learning curve.

"Those two years playing in the Ribblesdale League definitely shaped me enormously and I don't think the gulf between the two leagues is as big as some people make out.

"I certainly think I'm coming to terms with what a pro does now.

"When you start off you think you think, gee this is hard. You have got all this responsibility on your shoulders.

"But you learn to come to terms with the job, which is definitely a two-way thing, and all the aspects that go with it.

"But I love playing cricket in England. It is such a different culture from a big city. "You come up here to northern England and people are so friendly, relaxed and community orientated. It is a big buzz for me.

"It is such a different approach to life. People try and fit in as much as they can in a day and they are not fussed if they go to work with a hangover as long as they've had a good time the night before!"

At 24, his chances of future international recognition will increase further if Peterson returns to Sydney with a 1,000 runs under his belt.

National coaches monitored his progress with club side North Sydney last season and, while his ambition is to play for his New South Wales and ultimately Australia, his first priority is with Bacup.

"It would be nice to have a really big season with Bacup because, back in Australia, the Lancashire League is recognised as THE place where future internationals are moulded.

"I see being professional for Bacup as another step in my cricketing development.

"I am honing my skills all the time and getting a bit more valuable experience which, one day, might lead to a chance of first class cricket."

"Originally I wasn't coming back. I had calls from Darwen and I would have liked to have played at Nelson, because that was the club I used to watch when I was over here for two years. But I'm loving every second of it at Lanehead.

"Even if I did get my 1,000 runs - I'd willingly swop that if Bacup could win some silverware."

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