FENISCOWLES are hoping to use a break from league action to work on turning weaknesses into strengths.

Captain Jake Errey has already seen improvements from last season. But he feels there is more to come from his side, particularly with the bat.

And he feels that is where South African duo Henco Murphy and Ruan Kotze, who have come to the club as overseas amateur and young overseas amateur respectively, can have an impact.

“On our day we could probably beat most teams in the division if we put in the right performance,” said Errey.

“If we improve our batting we will win a lot of games.

“There’s a bit of inexperience with the lads.

“But the two South African lads have been working on some things with us in training, trying to get us to build an innings instead of score fast, and not giving wickets away like we have been.”

Scoring fast will be the name of the game tonight, though, as they host Euxton in a Group 1 20/20 clash, with Cherry Tree v Barnoldswick the other tie of the night.

“We’ve got a mixed squad for the 20/20 as we’re giving a couple of young lads a go,” said Errey.

“It’s a good competition and mainly about enjoyment, although we will be trying to progress.

“But if it’s a nice night we usually get a good crowd on and there’s a good atmosphere.

“It’s a competition the younger players especially enjoy.”

Feniscowles will stay in cup mode for their Group 2 clash in the Ramsbottom Cup at Earby tomorrow.

“We are always up for the cup, and the group format works better for teams then at least it’s not just on one game,” said Errey.

“We did quite well in the cup last year and got to the semi-finals so it would be nice to do well again. But our main aim is the league to try to improve on last season.”

Feniscowles have already managed that, even at this early stage.

The Blackburn club were winless in the Ribblesdale League last term, but got off the mark for 2018 by beating Barnoldswick last weekend.

Feniscowles are without batsmen Ziyad Bhada for this weekend’s games, following injury last weekend, and David Crutchley is absent, but they have like for like replacements in the experienced Paul Lilley and young batsman Tom Lowcock.

“We try to keep the same set of lads but there are things that are out of my control sometimes,” Errey continued.

“The seconds are going well though so everyone who has come into the first team has done a decent job.”

Errey has been impressed with the club’s overseas signings, adding: “They have looked really good so far and adapted well. They have done really well with the bat.”

The Feniscowles skipper also reserved praise for his brother, Charlie, who was instrumental in securing the emphatic win over Barnoldswick in taking six wickets.

Charlie’s statistics were all the more impressive given that they came from just 13 overs, conceding 46 runs in the process in their 107-run win.

Barnoldswick, who have one win from their opening three league games, were bowled out for 83 from 25.2 overs, after Feniscowles had posted 190, for the loss of seven wickets.

In the other Group 2 game Read, who will host the Ramsbottom Cup final, are at home to Barnoldswick, who beat Feniscowles in the first cup game.

In Group 1, Cherry Tree entertain Brinscall, while Salesbury travel to unbeaten league leaders Settle.

In Group 3 there is a home tie for defending champions Whalley against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, while Ribblesdale Wanderers are at home to Stacksteads.