DEFLATED John Henderson is vowing to pick his Todmorden side up after their second Worsley Cup heartache in two years and third in five seasons.

Henderson’s men went so close in a thrilling final at Ramsbottom on Sunday and the captain admits the narrow defeat is hard to take.

“It was tough,” he said. “A few of us have played in all three finals and it doesn’t get easier.

“But I said to the lads after the game that some people can play all of their careers and never get the chance to play in a final in front of so many people.

“We will have to pick ourselves up and now try to win the league.

“We can’t afford to be down and feel sorry.

“We have to pick ourselves up and make a push.

“We have to play Haslingden twice in the run-in and we need to make sure that those games are for the title.”

Henderson’s men went so close in the final as the darkness drew in and the skipper added: “We gave it a great go and I am proud of my team.

“Who knows what could have happened.

“We put David Bell down a few times and he made 70-odd and it may have been different.

“Maybe on the day we were not quite good enough but full congratulations to Ramsbottom.”

Henderson is also full of praise for the Todmorden fans, who travelled in great numbers to Acre Bottom.

“We have a great mix of fans. We have the vocal ones who sing and shout and we have the ones who sit there watching intently.

“They were all great and when we got back to our club, they gave us a round of applause when we walked in. It was a special moment and I hope we will win some silverware sooner rather than later for them.”