FRANS Cronje is using his healing hands to get Worsley Cup semi-final rival Dale Benkenstein fighting fit! Cronje is a qualified physiotherapist at Rochdale Infirmary and has spent the last few days treating the Burnley professional for a sore back.
Now the two face South Africans face a captivating head to head as Burnley bid to reach their first Worsley Cup final since 1984.
``I didn't want to give Dale any excuses so I agreed to treat him,'' laughed Frans.
``I've not seen him for a couple of days but I'm pretty sure he will be leading Burnley out tomorrow. The treatment appears to have done the trick.
``It is a fascinating semi-final and has the makings of a very good cup tie.''
Burnley emerged victorious over Todmorden with a six-wicket victory at Turf Moor on the first Saturday in June.
But Cronje believes Todmorden have learned a significant lesson from that defeat.
He added: ``We will be much better prepared this time and we gleaned a lot from the fixture at Burnley.
``The biggest factor for us is the spirit in the dressing room here.
``I got the team in the dressing room at the start of the season and asked them 'Do you all want to play serious cricket.'
``They have all responded in a fantastic manner. In fact all our supporters are calling us the 'Toddy Terrors' because the lads are so fiercely determined.
``They've really dug in and got themselves out of a couple of tight spots recently. It is the best team spirit I've ever come across in league cricket in England.''
Cronje, who had two seasons with Bolton League side Westhoughton in 1992 and 1993, has sparked a revival in fortunes at Centre Vale.
And it appears his fitness regime is paying off - with his five mile runs proving a roaring success!
``I put a fitness programme in place and the lads do an optional five-mile run during the week when they haven't got nets.
``Everybody loves the running and all the players have put their backs into training.
``They all tell me they do the five miles and I believe them.''
Cronje admits: ``This will probably be my last year in league cricket in England and I'd love to go home having helped Todmorden win something. The guys here deserve it.''
Meanwhile, 1994 Cup winners Haslingden face a titanic battle against East Lancs at Bentgate.
The two rivals are locked together at the top of the Lancashire League with just a point separating them.
And tomorrow's semi hands East Lancs a speedy chance of a revenge mission after last Sunday's nine wicket romp for the league leaders when sub professional Hamish Anthony landed four wickets in the absence of Brad McNamara.
The Aussie all-rounder is again ruled out with a shoulder injury and Leicestershire stalwart Gordon Parsons comes in as substitute.
``Brad didn't want to miss the game but he knew he wouldn't be 100 per cent so he stood down,'' explained skipper Mark Griffin.
``Hopefully the rest will do him good and he'll be firing on all cylinders when he gets back.
``And we will have a fully fit professional.''
Griffin believes last week's win will have no bearing on tomorrow's clash.
``It is all down to who performs on the day. We've won one apiece already this season but that it history. What we know is that it will be a tough game.''
¥East Lancs face Burnley at Alexandria Meadows tomorrow in the semi-final of the Nearside Sports Junior Cup. (1.15 pm), while Lowerhouse entertain Haslingden in the other semi-final.