O’Connor hopes Scullard can prove the difference as Read look to land silerware after barren period

Scullard, back from a bruised foot, took 5-17 as Read dismissed bottom side Brooksbottom for 46 in the league on Saturday, before the Whalley Road side knocked off the runs at a canter inside eight overs for a nine-wicket success.

Saturday sees Read travel to Euxton in the league, but Sunday offers a chance for silverware, with a semi-final against Brooksbottom, and a potential final against either Cherry Tree or Settle.

O’Connor said: “We definitely need to be winning some silverware. It’s the fourth year of asking, and hopefully we can do the business and have a bit of a party!

“It will be difficult though. If we beat Brooksbottom, Cherry Tree are a decent side and Settle seem to be our bogey team.

“But hopefully Brendon can have the same impact against Brooksbottom again.

“He wasn’t fully fit against them last week, bowling off half a run up,and he still took five wickets.

“It’s great to have him back on the field and in and around the lads. He’s first class, and I feel there’s more to come when he’s fully fit.”

First up is a trip to Euxton, and O’Connor added: “It’s a decent set-up there and a nice place to play.

“They play hard and in the right spirit, and we will have to restrict their overseas amateur Preston White.”

Padiham had a free date last Saturday, but will return to action tomorrow when they travel to face Cherry Tree at Preston Old Road.

Tree are 10 points adrift of the promotion places in Section B, with Callum Clarke’s men a further 22 points behind.