Eagley captain Louis Seigne admits he cannot pick a winner from the four title chasers in the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Premiership division, though knows full well his side could have a big say in proceedings.

Seigne’s side are in excellent form at present. They have won three games on the spin, the latest of them away against league leaders Blackrod on Saturday, to hoist themselves out of relegation danger.

Their 45-point cushion over second-bottom Ribblesdale Wanderers means they can enjoy the final four rounds of the season and maybe even spoil another party along the way.

With 48 more points to play for, 19 now separate the top four teams in the Premiership.

Blackrod are top on 173, Little Lever second on 161, Padiham have 160 in third and Salesbury are fourth on 154.

“They’re all good sides,” said Seigne. “Honestly, I couldn’t pick between them.

“I wouldn’t say anyone has been noticeably better than the others - they’ve all got standout players. If they get a 100 against you, they’ll more than likely win the game.

“And that’s what’s going to win it, I would say, the top players performing - the ones who are paid the money. Blackrod have some great players in their side, but against us they just didn’t perform on the day. That can happen.

“Little Lever have got the West Indian, Kieran Powell. If he gets going, they’ll be very dangerous.

“Blackrod looked like they were going to cruise home easily, and maybe we’ve upset them.

“I’ve said since the start of the season, and I said it to all of our lads, that I do believe this league is going to be great this season because I feel like anybody can beat anybody.

“We have Padiham away last game of the season, which will be a big game. We might have another impact on the title race. We’ll just focus on ourselves, but it will be interesting to see what happens.”

On Saturday, ninth-placed Eagley beat Blackrod by 24 runs as they bowled their hosts out for 118 in reply to 142-6.

“It was a fantastic win,” continued skipper Seigne. “We’ve had some good form recently, winning the last three.

“A few weeks ago, we were having chats about what points we’d need to stay in the division. Now, these three wins have put us in a decent position to chase some of the teams above us.

“We want to get as high up the league as we can, continue this form and finish the year strong.”

Eagley had to recover from 63-5, with Harvey Seigne - Louis’s younger brother, James Richards, Luca Doyle (25 not out) and James Fallows (15no) all contributing valuable runs.

Opener Seigne had a good day with 38 followed by three wickets with his off-spinners.

“Harvey had a brilliant day, but I dropped a catch off him as well and he’s let me know about it,” chuckled Louis.

Richards top-scored with 47 from number six before opening the bowling and claiming a wicket, while Doyle’s left-arm spin accounted for 4-30 in defence. Fallows also struck once.

“We worked hard for that total,” reflected the captain.

“We aimed for more than that. But, at the start, they bowled really well, and we had a few wickets tumble early. I feel like we battled really well.

“In this league, on these pitches, you know that if you get 140 or there and thereabouts, you’re going to be in the game. It’s not a huge total, especially against a good team, but you can defend it.”

In reply, Blackrod fell to 17-2 before Bajan overseas amateur Antonio Greenidge top-scored with 44 to steady the ship. But they just lost wickets all too regularly.

“We got their big wickets out early doors,” added Seigne. “Their overseas played a decent innings, but all of our bowlers bowled well and we fielded well.

“All in all, it was a top win.”

And if there are a few more top wins to follow, that title race could well be made all the more interesting.

Tomorrow’s fixtures:- Premiership - Eagley v Farnworth Social Circle, Lostock v Kearsley, Padiham v Astley Bridge, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Little Lever, Salesbury v Blackrod, Tonge v Farnworth; Championship - Baxenden v Earby, Feniscowles v Walkden, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Cherry Tree, Read v Atherton, Whalley v Barnoldswick.