HUNDRED hero Brett Pelser’s message to his trophy-winning Horwich side is ‘Why not?’ as they seek to add to Sunday’s Bolton League T20 crown.

Captain and professional Pelser smashed a scintillating century in Sunday evening’s final victory over Lostock at Farnworth and is targeting more silverware.

Horwich sit second in the Premiership, 14 points behind Walkden, they are in the Hamer Cup semi-finals, have won two out of two Peter Stafford Trophy group games and are also into the ECB’s Club T20 Area Finals Day.

In the latter, they face Moorside in the semi-final at Bradshaw on July 29.

The other semi is between Ormskirk and Chorley.

The winner on the day advances to next month’s regional quarter-finals. The last four teams then play off at National Finals Day at Derbyshire County Cricket Club in September.

“That is a bit of a cherry on top,” said Pelser after a ninth successive T20 win.

“We have quite a young side, with the majority not getting to a final before.

“It will be unbelievable to go and experience it and represent the Bolton League – that is important.

“We can go and say ‘You know what, the standard of our league is right up there’.

“Saturday was a blip (league defeat to Walkden), but we’re still second, in the semi-final of the Hamer Cup and realistically in the quarter-finals of the Peter Stafford. Then we’ve got the T20. It’s fun times to be playing at Horwich.

“I do honestly believe we have a formula of how we play our T20 cricket. We’ve won nine in a row and guys know their roles.

“Who knows what can happen if we maintain our momentum.

“Anything can happen, especially in T20. Why not shoot for the stars?”

After defending 165 to beat Social Circle in Sunday’s afternoon semi, Horwich blazed away in the final against Lostock, who had defended 173 against Bradshaw in a thrilling morning semi.

Pelser, playing with a dislocated finger which only affects his bowling, opened and smashed 112 off 57 balls.

He hit 13 fours and five sixes to underpin a 216-5 total, sharing 84 for the first wicket with Danny Naylor (29) and 111 for the third with Tom Billington, who added 51 off 35.

In reply, Lostock posted 168-7, with the wickets shared around. Chris Campbell claimed two.

“We chanced our arm a bit,” said Pelser following his second career T20 century at any level – both have come in this year’s competition.

“I was dropped on nought second ball at mid-off. In a final, that’s huge. It wasn't a 99 times out of 100 catch, but you would expect them to be taken at first-team level.

“You could feel they were a bit deflated. That’s when myself and Danny tried to get on top.

“Danny took pressure off me, as did Tom. They both batted brilliantly.

“Horwich put a lot of effort into T20. They do all competitions, but the T20 has been a flagship event. Those behind the scenes try and make it a great place to come and watch.

“For all those who turned up on Sunday, it’s a victory for them as much as us players.”

Horwich’s last Stafford Trophy group game at Heaton is set to be rearranged to avoid a clash with the T20 Area Finals Day.

Meanwhile, Moorside have qualified for Area Finals Day as winners of last season’s Pennine League T20, although they have since moved to the Greater Manchester Cricket League.

The ECB have allowed them to participate alongside this season’s GMCL T20 winners Flixton to even out the numbers as the Lancashire League chose not to enter.

Next season, it will be just one qualifier from the GMCL.