RAMSBOTTOM go looking for their third Lancashire League Second XI Cup triumph in four years and skipper Brian Taylor is hoping to use all of his experience to lead his side to victory.

Taylor is enjoying his first season in charge of the Acre Bottom second string and will call on his first team and professional playing days to conjure up another cup celebration.

Ramsbottom have a proud record in the competition, winning the first ever final in 1972 and lifting the trophy a further six times -- culminating in back-to-back victories in 2002 and 2003.

He has enjoyed spells as professional at Brooks Bottom and Hyde but he is Ramsbottom through-and-through having progressed up through the junior ranks.

"I've been lucky enough to win honours at every level apart from the Worsley Cup," said Taylor who will captain a relatively young side. "That is the only one that has escaped me."

Apart from Taylor and fellow 30-something, Mark Gowers, the remainder of the side are all under 23.

And it is the youthful exuberance that has given Taylor a new lease of life.

"To be honest, I am enjoying Second team cricket a lot more than I thought I would. At the beginning of the season I thought I would miss the Firsts but that has not been the case."

Taylor considers himself to be something of a hard task master but he has been delighted with the response of his players.

"They are a great bunch of players and what impresses me most is the fact that they always give 110 per cent."

Taylor, a batsman who can bowl a bit, will be looking to lead by example but will be looking for openers Andy Holt and Chris Wood to do the business, supported by Chris Ullathorne who is back from his studies at Bath University.

The bowling attack will be led by Martin Cropper and Steve Eardley and 'find of the season' Andy Marshall who has nearly 40 wickets to his name so far this season.

However, Todmorden, who have home advantage for Saturday's final, are ready to spoil the party -- even if they have to do so without their own vastly experience captain David 'Ted' Whitehead.

Whitehead played first team cricket at Centre Vale for 28 years before stepping down to the Seconds last season. He misses the final as he is on holiday but leaves the team's fortunes in the capable hands of Simon Barker.

"Ramsbottom beat us earlier in the season but the team we have now is unrecognisable to the one that lost that day. We have the benefit of calling on players who have plenty of first team experience and I am sure we can give Rammy a good game. It is a shame I have to miss it."

Todmorden's strength lies in its bowling attack -- as Cup holders Burnley found out in the semi final -- and Whitehead is hoping his side have too much fire power for Ramsbottom on the day.

"In Stuart Parker, James Morgan, John Campbell, Hurn Abbas and young Oliver Wood, we have five very good bowlers who are all capable of taking wickets."

The final promises to be a fascinating encounter in what is the Second XI's match of the season.