THERE will be no love lost between two Springboks when they step out to face each other in a crucial top versus bottom clash at Thorneyholme Road this Sunday.

Marsden Lancashire League pros, Billy Stelling of East Lancs and Chad Grainger of Accrington, may be friends off the cricket pitch but at the crease it is a different story.

"I'm going to blow Billy out of ground," boasted Chad, a native of Johannesburg. "I know Billy's game well having played against him before. We are good mates but it's different during a match because we both want to win.

"He's a good all-rounder and East Lancs are a solid side but if we can stay positive I think we can do well."

Accrington's appalling start to the season continued last weekend with a narrow defeat against league leaders Lowerhouse. They now face another high-flying side in second placed East Lancs.

"We're quite a young side and we've got to learn how to win - that's the key," added Chad. "The lads are very talented, our performance is picking up and I'm sure we can get the right result against East Lancs."

Fellow Springbok Billy has had a more fruitful start to the season and has helped turn the Alexandra Meadows side into real title contenders.

"I've been pleased with our performance so far despite the poor wickets," said the Springbok batsman. "If we can keep this up I think we'll be up there at the end of the season but no game is easy.

"Chad's a dangerous player and we must keep him under control - he could make the difference because it's a funny game. But I am looking forward to playing against my old buddy again it should be a great contest."

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