HAPPY Bacup skipper Peter Killelea is made up for his young side after they bounced back from their Haslingden horror.

The Lanehead outfit were on the receiving end as the Lancashire League leaders racked up a league record score on 363 last week - and Killelea demanded an improvement from his young side.

That improvement came in spectacular style with a big win over Rishton on Saturday and Killelea said: “It was brilliant.

“It was fantastic the way we bounced back and with both bat and ball, we played really well.

“Rishton did have a couple of players missing but we batted tremendously and then bowled and fielded on top of the game.

“Often this season we have done one or the other and I believe that when we get it right, we can beat anyone.”

Killelea admits he knew it would be a tough season with such a young side but he also knows that they will be better for the experience.

“It is a season of transition,” he said. “And it is the same with Rawtenstall, who are down there with us.

“It isn’t nice being down at the bottom end of the table and we want to avoid that because we don’t want to write a letter to the league asking for re-election.

“But things go in cycles. A few years ago we were up there are the top and now we are at the other end and I am sure we will bounce back and move up.

“We have some really good players and they will come out of this stronger.”

There is also a spot of revenge on Killelea’s mind as Bacup go up against Haslingden again on Sunday.

“We have a point to prove,” he said.

“They are an exception side but it did hurt us to be hit for so many.

“We want to improve on the other week and cut out the mistakes.

“Without taking anything away from Haslingden, we dropped too many catches and against a side like that you can’t afford to do that.

“If you do, you suffer and we did.”