SKIPPER Adam Waterhouse is gearing up for a crunch Bank Holiday weekend as Ormskirk bid to maintain their challenge for silverware on three fronts. The Brook Lane outfit are one of six clubs separated by just 20 points who are gunning for the Liverpool Competition Premier Division crown. They currently lie fifth, 14 points off leaders New Brighton, with five games to go. Ormskirk entertain Fleetwood Hesketh tomorrow before a crunch trip to title rivals Northern on Monday. Sandwiched in between on Sunday is their rearranged Business Assistance Knockout Trophy semi-final at fellow high-flyers Colwyn Bay. Waterhouse, whose side are also in the last four of the Echo Knockout, is under no illusions about the importance of the next three days. He said: “It's a vital weekend for us. We've got to play positive cricket and hope to force two wins in the league, while hopefully booking ourselves a cup final appearance. “You would have to say we are the outsiders for the title at the moment but there are six sides in with a shout. “If we can stay in the hunt until the last few weeks then we'll have a great chance as our last two matches are against Hightown and Leigh who we would fancy our chances against. “It's great for us to be in this position. Last year we were fourth but over 100 points off the top so we've closed the gap. “We're in two semi-finals and still competing for three trophies – now it's about taking our opportunities. We don't want to end the season with any regrets.” Ormskirk, at full strength this weekend, are in good form having beaten St Helens Recs and Huyton prior to last weekend's washout against Colwyn Bay. But Waterhouse admits he fears a lack of firepower in his bowling attack could ultimately cost Ormskirk their first Liverpool Competition title since 2001. “We've bounced back pretty well in recent weeks since a very disappointing defeat against Southport when we produced our worst performance of the season,” he said. “We're a very strong batting side with John Armstrong, Matt Glayzer and John Simpson all hitting over 500 league runs, while Jack Kelliher has found some form in recent weeks. “But the bowling is a problem and we probably lack a strike bowler. In the games against Maghull and Fleetwood Hesketh we had teams nine wickets down but couldn't finish them off. That cost us 16 points each time. “Over the past two years the team has got better and better. It's just a case of putting the final pieces in the jigsaw for next season but we've not given up hope for this season yet.” | 
