DARYL Wearing still has his sights set on being a key contributor for Barrow Cricket Club for several seasons to come after passing the milestone of 500 first-team wickets in the Northern Premier League.

The seamer has been a mainstay of the side since they joined the competition 14 years ago and is still picking up crucial scalps with the ball, claiming 19 victims already this year and being the team's second-highest wicket-taker behind Toby Mowat, on 21.

Wearing's primary focus has always been on the team rather than personal glory, but he is delighted to reach such a major milestone in his playing career and admits it was not something he ever imagined he would achieve.

“When Barrow first joined the Northern League in 2004, I certainly wasn't expecting to take 500 wickets in that time,” said Wearing, who is determined to keep playing at this level for as long as he can.

“From a personal point-of-view, it's obviously brilliant.

"I know it's an old cliché but it's making sure I'm contributing to the team performing and winning, that's really the main thing. But from a personal point-of-view, it's obviously a big achievement for me.

“I'm still only 37, so I've still got a few years left in me year, but the level you're playing at, the responsibility to take on and the level you're playing at, it's hard work every week.

“Fortunately, my body has managed to stay relatively unscathed over that time, so hopefully it will keep doing that and I can keep contributing.”

Wearing's longevity makes him one of the senior members of the Barrow team, and he is among those new captain Glen Kermode has looked to for advice at times this season, having previously skippered the side himself.

The 37-year-old therefore understands the expectations of captaincy and is happy to lend a hand where required, having had the benefit of experienced players doing the same for him when he was leading the team.

“I've been in Glen's situation myself as a captain and it is a tough job at times, and it's a very lonely place when things aren't going your way,” said Wearing.

“It's important you do have people around you who are willing to help and offer a bit of advice if you ever need it, and when I was captain I was fortunate I had the likes of Ian Allington and Ray Mowat around me.

“So now, being one of those experienced cricketers, it's only right you do offer a little bit back. Glen doesn't have to take that advice on board, he's his own person and he'll make his own decisions, but I'll be there for him if he needs it and I'm sure he won't be afraid to ask.”

While Wearing's main contributions for Barrow are with the ball, he has proven himself a more than useful lower-order batsman down the years too, chipping in with some crucial runs during the later stages of an innings.

He has a highest score so far this season of 41 and is aiming to bring that part of his game to the fore as well, having concentrated more on bowling when he was captaining Barrow.

“When I was captain a few years back, my batting took a bit of a backwards step because it's difficult to captain the side, bat and bowl and try to contribute that way,” said Wearing.

“You've got to be quite strong-minded to be able to do that and batting is something I've always enjoyed doing, but it did take a bit of a backwards step, so now I haven't got the captaincy and somebody else has taken on that responsibility it has freed me up to start enjoying that side again.

“I'd like to contribute more, but the scores I've had this year are certainly better than my stats state, so hopefully I can improve on those and contribute where the team needs me to.”

Barrow face a tough test tomorrow when they welcome second-placed Blackpool to Ernest Pass, while near-neighbours Furness aim to keep their title hopes alive in the North Lancashire and Cumbria League Premier Division on the road at Keswick.

Elsewhere, Millom host bottom side Dalton, Lindal Moor welcome Cockermouth and Haverigg aim to build on their first win of the season away to Workington.

The rest of the weekend's action is dominated by the cup competitions, with Vickerstown hosting Hawcoat Park and Ulverston at home to Seascale in the semi-finals of the Marsden Cup.

Dalton's second team host Cleator's seconds in the Vigodny Cup last four – the winners facing either Egremont seconds or Whitehaven seconds in the final – and Furness' second string welcome Egremont's senior team in the Sowerby Cup semis.

The North Lancs and Cumbria League have given teams permission to starts games at 10am tomorrow, play 40 overs-a-side and have a 10-minute interval to avoid a clash with the England v Sweden World Cup quarter-final.

Both clubs and their appointed umpires must agree, and the league must be informed beforehand.

Meanwhile, the Smith Cup takes priority on Sunday when Millom and Ulverston's second teams clash for a place in the final against either Vickerstown or Haverigg's seconds.