ACTION man Billy Stelling is a man with a Worsley Cup mission.

The East Lancs match winner stands by to lead his side into tomorrow's semi-final against Ramsbotton at Alexandra Meadows.

And the South African ace predicts one player stands between East Lancs and a cup final appearance on August 4 - Kiwi Chris Harris.

Harris produced a one-man show in the last round, clubbing a swashbuckling 83 and landing a five-wicket haul to book a 34-run victory over Haslingden.

"The major threat to us reaching the final comes from Chris Harris, I have no doubt about that," said Stelling.

"If we can get Harris out cheaply, ideally for under 20, then we have a great chance. His dismissal will be the key to whether we can make it to the cup final.

"He is a class player. But if we can claim his wicket I think Ramsbottom could fold."

East Lancs, who have won the Worsley Cup 13 times, have not appeared in a Worsley Cup final since 1992. They last tasted success in the competition in 1988.

But after a crushing quarter-final victory over a strong Haslingden outfit, many are predicting East Lancs will make home advantage pay against Ramsbottom. Stelling added: "The boys are really up for this game and they are all desperate to reach that final.

"I believe we can do it, but we will have to be on top of our game if we are to produce the goods. East Lancs and Ramsbottom are two very evenly balanced sides and it should be a very fine semi."

Another close encounter is expected at Seedhill where Joe Scuderi's Nelson meet Roger Harper's Bacup.

After challenging for league honours for the large part of last season as well as winning the Cup, their decline in fortune this season has been a surprise (they are currently third from the bottom of the Lancashire League).

But Scuderi believes that his team can rally to the cause for a concentrated effort in tomorrow's semi-final.

"We haven't been performing well but we've got a run going in the Cup," he said.

"I think the guys realise the importance of tomorrow's match."

Bacup have recent success in the competiton too, winning in 1993.

Harper, like Scuderi a long-serving professional in the Lancashire League, believes his team is capable of emulating that success.

"We're capable of doing it if we play to our potential," he said.

"Nelson are a very good team - we've played them twice this season, winning both matches but they battled hard.

"While it's better to be knocked out at the semi-final stage than the first round, losing tomorrow would not be a nice feeling.

"Especially as we feel we can go all the way.

"They have a high class pro and a good all-round team, particularly strong bowlers.

"For me it's a matter of going out and doing the best we can and trying to make sure things go our way."

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