2007 SEASON IN RETROSPECT

In a season when over three hundred, yes three hundred, games were declared as ‘No Results’ I make no apologies for beginning my report by placing on record our sincere thanks to all of those dedicated groundsman and their willing helpers for their efforts in preparing both wickets and outfields in very trying circumstances throughout the so called summer period.

Despite the weather we have enjoyed another intriguing season’s cricket.

The weather leading up to the start of the season was perfect, in fact April was declared as the warmest on record. With the introduction of our new bonus points system expectations were high.

Our season commenced on the 21^st April, unfortunately six Clubs had the added problem of finding substitute professionals for their opening day fixtures.

Baxenden, Great Harwood, Whalley, Padiham, Ribblesdale Wanderers, defending champions Clitheroe and Settle all got their seasons of to the best possible start with opening day victories.

Amongst batsman enjoying early success was Great Harwood’s Russell Whalley who scored 129 against Edenfield, this proved to be seasons highest individual score by an amateur. Will Driver, Read’s newly appointed skipper at just 18 years of age, scored 109 not out against Clitheroe and Baxenden’s David Parkinson 90 not out against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Amongst professionals, who had arrived, league record aggregate run scorer Ali Azmat, Earby, scored 78, New Zealander Michael Papps also made a good start to his Ribblesdale league career with an unbeaten 78 not out for his new club, Clitheroe.

Baxenden and Padiham proved to be the early pace setters, both following up their opening day victories with wins against Barnoldswick and Settle respectively,

At the end of the second fixtures only four clubs, Clitheroe and Whalley were the only other two who remained unbeaten at this early stage of the season.

Match of the day on Saturday 5^th May was between the two early pacesetters played at Back Lane, Baxenden, with opening bat David Parkinson scoring 103 not out, comprehensively beat Padiham.

Defending champions, Clitheroe beat Settle by 129 runs to move above Padiham into second place. Blackburn Northern won for the first time, Cherry Tree and Barnoldswick were still however looking for their first victories of the new season.

Unfortunately, the following day, only two results were possible due to rain. Padiham beating Great Harwood in a reduced overs game, at Victory Park visitors Earby easily overcame local neighbours Barnoldswick by ten wickets.

After a break of one week for cup games Earby and Padiham, in a rain affected game played out a tie at the Applegarth. Early league leaders Baxenden won against Cherry Tree. Clitheroe although making only 103 for 9 wickets still managed to beat Great Harwood who could only muster 67 all out, Josh Marquet claiming 7 wickets for 23 runs. Blackburn Northern enjoyed a comfortable win over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to move into mid table. Read beat Settle by 100 runs to move level on points with local rivals Padiham. After five games Barnoldswick were still looking for their first points of the season.

Padiham professional, Kashif Siddique will remember Saturday 26^th May for a long time as he established a new league individual batting record with his innings of 233 against Ribblesdale Wanderers at the Arbories.

On the same day Clitheroe suffered a surprise defeat at home against Earby, leaders Baxenden cruised to victory against Settle who were finding runs hard to come by. Barnoldswick stayed rock bottom after their 158 run defeat at home by Blackburn Northern who now moved up to third. Cherry Tree where the only other Club still without a victory after seven games.

The final fixtures of May, and Cherry Tree finally won beating Earby by 42 runs, also victories for Whalley against hapless Barnoldswick, Ribblesdale Wanderers dented Clitheroe's title aspirations with a six wickets local derby victory, substitute professional Steve Dearden taking 7 for 42 and then made 41 not out for the victors.

Read inflicted a first defeat on Baxenden with both skipper Will Driver and professional Thomas Odoyo amongst the runs. Blackburn Northern had a massive 159 run victory against fellow title challengers Padiham, substitute Professional Ashraf scoring 168 not out for the Pleckgate side. Great Harwood defeated a disappointing Settle side by seven wickets.

Baxenden suffered a second defeat as June commenced, this time at home against Great Harwood for whom substitute professional Sanjay Bangar made 112 not out. Read’s, Will Driver scored 117 not out against Oswaldtwistle but both these scores were modest when compared to Edenfield Professional Babar Naeem who scored a magnificent 181 against bottom club Barnoldswick. Padiham defeated Whalley to remain second just three points behind Baxenden, Read moved up into third. Champions Clitheroe returned to winning ways against Blackburn Northern. Settle gained some badly needed points against Earby who fell 24 runs short chasing 193 for victory.

Saturday 9^th June and Baxenden remained on top thanks to a narrow hard fought victory over Earby, winning by four wickets, just three balls of the game remaining when the winning runs were scored.

Padiham, for whom Mahmood scored an 87 ball 120, remained second, Blackburn Northern, who still had to find a substitute professional for every game, moved up to third despite Cherry Tree professional Zahoor Elahi scoring 109 not out, the home side knocked of the runs for the loss of six wickets.

Clitheroe lost for the third time this time against Whalley. At New Lane in the bottom of the table clash, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel just had the best of a low scoring game against Barnoldswick. Ribblesdale Wanderers beat Settle by 85 runs to send the Yorkshiremen down into the bottom two. Great Harwood beat Read by 77 runs to move above the villagers into fourth place.

After their original professional Sohail Tanvir opted to attend a fast bowling academy Great Harwood signed 25 year old former West Indian Test fast bowler, Jermaine Lawson for the remainder of the season but in his first game despite a hostile 16 over spell he finished on the losing side as Harwood’s bid for a fifth successive victory ended in a 13 run defeat against Earby.

Following week end both leaders Baxenden and second placed Padiham strengthened their positions at the top, Baxenden’s opening bat Callum Waddington scoring 114 against Ribblesdale Wanderers to set up a comfortable 66 run victory. Padiham coasted to a seven wicket victory against lowly Oswaldtwistle Immanuel. Elsewhere Edenfield dismissed Clitheroe for 153 to win by 14 runs. Whalley with professional Bradman Edirweera scoring 97 not out, continued to move up the table with a ten wicket victory against Cherry Tree. Blackburn Northern’s title ambitions were put on hold as their game at Settle was postponed due to the recent heavy rains.

Blackburn Northern, now with a settled professional, Indian Devendra Bundela in their side, dented Baxenden’s title hopes who they bowled out for just 54. Professional Bundela claiming 5 for 28 from 16 overs to give the team from Pleckgate a 76 run victory. Padiham took full advantage to move nine points clear at the top with a nine wicket success at rock bottom Barnoldswick.

Read accumulated the days highest total, 235 for 3, against Earby to move into third, just ten points off the pace. Great Harwood came out on top in the day’s closest finish winning by just four runs at Church Meadow against Ribblesdale Wanderers for whom veteran Terry Braithwaite took a hat trick. Settle scored only their third win of the season against mid table Whalley. Clitheroe made hard work of beating Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, who they dismissed for just 50 runs, losing six wickets before they passed this modest total.

As the season reached its half way stage and the wettest June on record since 1914 came to a close Padiham, despite losing in a rain reduced game to Clitheroe, remained four points clear of long time leaders Baxenden and a further two in front of Blackburn Northern.

July began with Baxenden, thanks to a superb all round display from professional Jonathan Fielding, he scored 78 runs from 56 balls and then took a match winning 8 wickets for just 38 runs from 18 overs, beat Edenfield by 77 runs. Blackburn Northern were the afternoon’s most impressive winners at Pleckgate, helped by Devendra Bundela’s 5 for 22, they dismissed Earby for 95 and then knocked off the total without losing a wicket. In the only other senior division game to escape the rain Ribblesdale Wanderers comfortably beat high flying Read.

Saturday 14th July and Blackburn Northern improved their chances of a first Senior League title for 26 years with an impressive eight wicket victory over Ribblesdale Wanderers. Padiham’s six wicket home defeat against Cherry Tree meant that Northern were now just two points off top spot. As a result of their defeat Padiham dropped from first to third leaving Baxenden, who beat Oswaldtwistle by 32 runs, Jonathan Fielding claiming another six wicket haul, to replace them at the summit. Great Harwood beat Edenfield by just three runs in a game reduced to 39 overs. Read kept up their title challenge crushing Clitheroe by 156 runs.

Spare a thought for Settle for the fourth week in last five their game this time against bottom club Barnoldswick was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Rain completely decimated the league programme of 21^st July.

As the wettest July on record came to a close Baxenden moved 14 points clear with impressive wins over fellow challengers Padiham by 10 wickets and then Clitheroe by 7 wickets. Padiham recovered from their previous days mauling by beating a Great Harwood side who had inflicted a 163 run defeat on Barnoldswick the previous day, Great Harwood professional Lawson proving he could also bat scoring 113 in this game. Blackburn Northern also won and lost, losing firstly at Whalley by seven wickets then recovering with a comfortable seven wicket victory against Edenfield. The race to the title now seemed to be between five clubs.

Fixture listing for 4^th August was again decimated by the weather with only two games reaching a conclusion. Leaders Baxenden beat Cherry Tree by 10 wickets and Blackburn Northern, moved into second position, with a hard fought 102 run victory against next to bottom Oswaldtwistle. Although a number of the other games made a start none reached a conclusion.

Baxenden continued to close in on the title by beating struggling Settle, nearest challengers Blackburn Northern won by five wickets against a team still looking for its first victory of a traumatic season, Barnoldswick. Padiham however had still not given up hope as they won, despite home professional Joe Scuderi scoring 109, at Church Meadow against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel beat Whalley to leave Settle again next to bottom. Great Harwood lost ground losing at home against mid table Cherry Tree. Edenfield professional Baber Naeem cracked 147 and then took 5 for 73 to leave Read’s hopes of influencing the destiny of the title in tatters.

As the rain continued to fall throughout East Lancashire, Blackburn Northern stole a march on their title rivals by grabbing a vital victory at Padiham. This victory enabled them to close the gap on leaders Baxenden to just seven points. All other games were abandoned.

Barnoldswick long suffering supporters will remember Saturday 25^th August, venue Gincroft Lane, with a certain degree of fondness as it was the scene of their first victory of a miserable season as they beat Edenfield by 14 runs, not satisfied with this they then completed a week end double with a 66 run victory against Oswaldtwistle.

At the business end of the table leaders Baxenden lost against Great Harwood by 26 runs before beating Earby by six wickets, nearest challengers Blackburn Northern had two comfortable victories firstly against now mid table Clitheroe and then by six wickets at Cherry Tree, these victories moved Northern to the top of the table, albeit by just two points, for the first time in the season.

Padiham’s demise continued as they slipped out of the top four with heavy defeats at Whalley and then at home against Edenfield. Read also continued to fall down the table losing by 8 wickets at home against Oswaldtwistle and then by 74 runs at Great Harwood.

Into the final month of this rain affected season and Baxenden and Blackburn Northern continued to match each other all the way, advantage Bash as they claimed maximum points at Ribblesdale Wanderers, with Northern failing to take Settle’s final wicket at Pleckgate Road, both teams now locked together on 196 points.

Padiham recovered to move back into third by beating Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, a single point in front of Great Harwood who lost against Earby. Barnoldswick’s mini revival came to an abrupt end against Read who bowled then all out for 74. History was however made in this game as 17 year old Jessica Scothern became the first female to play cricket in the senior league.

Down to the last three fixtures and Blackburn Northern secured the championship with weekend wins over nearest challengers Baxenden and then Great Harwood. The match of the day on Saturday 8^th September was at Pleckgate Road when the top two did battle. Batting first Northern scored 181 for 8, home professional Bundela batting throughout the innings for 112 not out. In reply Baxenden lost early wickets before their middle order lead the fight back, eventually finishing 20 runs short at 161 all out. 

The following day Baxenden, possibly suffering from a hang over from previous day, disappointed at Whalley losing by 77 runs to hand the team from Pleckgate its first league title in 26 years. Blackburn Northern skipper Nasser Malik dedicated his side’s title victory to League President and long time Blackburn Northern stalwart Arthur Shaw, a fine gesture.

Padiham beat Barnoldswick by a massive 152 runs and then beat local rivals Read by 69 runs to remain third with just one game to play. Whalley also completed a double winning week end by beating Settle who would now finish in the bottom two. Clitheroe notched up two wins over Oswaldtwistle and Barnoldswick respectively.

As the season came to a close, runners up Baxenden slumped to a third successive defeat losing by three wickets at home against Edenfield. Clitheroe beat third placed Padiham by six wickets to finish in sixth position. Neil Bolton taking the plaudits for a superb all round performance claiming 6 for 54 and then scoring an unbeaten 106. Great Harwood finished fourth with victory against fifth place Whalley. Cherry Tree professional Zahoor Elahi closed his season in style scoring 137 not out as the home team scored a mammoth 310 for just 2 wickets against bottom of the table Barnoldswick. Northern finished off a memorable season with a 53 run victory over Earby to finish 28 points in front of long time championship favourites Baxenden.

Barnoldswick who had been cast adrift at the bottom of the table since the start of the season, along with 2005 champions Settle must seek re election to the senior league.

The 2006 Ramsbottom Cup winners Clitheroe suffered a first round knockout blow as they lost at home to Padiham. After restricting the home team to 162, Padiham professional Kashif Siddique made an unbeaten 114 as the visitors reached 163 for loss of 8 wickets.

Settle, previous winners in 2004 and 2005 were also beaten at home this time by Whalley. Great Harwood posted 159 at Read; the villagers were then bowled out for just 55 in 27 overs. Cherry Tree completed a 45 run victory against Ribblesdale Wanderers at Church Meadow. Edenfield despite 110 from professional Naeem fell 7 runs short of victory at Back Lane against high flying Baxenden who made 190 for 9. Another close finish came at Earby were the home team finished 14 runs short of Oswaldtwistle Immanuel’s 164.

Barnoldswick and Blackburn Northern, who will host the final, both received byes into the second round.

Sad to report but the weather meant that the second round ties scheduled for Sunday 3^rd June were a complete wash out, would now go ahead on the reserve date of Sunday 1^st July, weather permitting of course.

Unfortunately only one game beat the weather, Cherry Tree booking their place in the semi finals. The home side posted 225 from their 48 overs despite a fighting 64 not out from Oswaldtwistle Immanuel skipper, Gerard Metcalf, Cherry Tree clung on to record an eight run victory. The other three games were again rescheduled this time to take place on Sunday 15^th July.

Now recognised as the wettest summer on record Station Road Whalley was the only ground to see any cricket on the 15^th July, the home team crushed high flyers Padiham by 101 runs.

Finally on Sunday 5^th August the other two quarter finals were played, Blackburn Northern had Naeem Ashraf hitting an unbeaten 52 to steer the side to a six wicket victory over Great Harwood. It was top versus bottom in the last quarter final where Baxenden eased to a five wicket victory over Barnoldswick.

Semi final draw saw Baxenden play Whalley and Cherry Tree play Blackburn Northern.

As so often throughout this rain affected season only one of the games reached a conclusion on Sunday 12^th August. Baxenden with professional Jonathon Fielding scoring 53 set a target of 200 for 8 wickets. They then bowled Whalley out for 161 to book their place in the final.

In the other game Cherry Tree made 206 for 9 wickets, in reply Blackburn Northern had reached 78 for 1 wicket when rain stopped play. When play resumed the following evening Northern reached their target for the loss of just five wickets.   

Final started on Sunday 19th August with Blackburn Northern winning the toss and asked Baxenden to bat first on a bowler friendly track. Visitors struggled, but with Dominic Bulcock scoring 43, a knock that would earn him the man of the match award, they managed to reach 141. Northern in reply had reached 74 for 3 wickets in reply when persistent showers brought proceedings to a premature finish.

The following evening in a nerve wracking ending Northern got home with their final pair at the wicket.

Twenty / 20 Competition was split into three zonal groups, five teams in each section, with winners of each group plus best runners up progressing through to semi finals. Feniscowles only non Senior League club to enter the competition. Semi Finals Clitheroe lost at home against Blackburn Northern in the other game Great Harwood played Whalley. Great Harwood snatched defeat from the jaws of victory requiring just five runs from 12 balls they lost by two runs.

Final was played at Whalley who after losing the toss restricted their opponents and favourites for the competition, Blackburn Northern to just 111, Northern Professional Devendra Bundela scoring exactly 50 not out, home professional Bradman Edirweera taking 4 for 23. Home side put in a disciplined performance with both bat and ball to eventually get home by four wickets, Whalley’s Neil Cordingley was named man of the match for his 2 wickets for 21 runs and 19 runs with the bat.

The League always appreciates all of our sponsors, Veka for their League sponsorship, our Youth League sponsors Peter Benson (Plywood) Ltd and F.G.S. Landscapes (Accrington), long may they continue to support us.

We are also pleased to welcome on board our new Cup competition sponsors Porter Matthews and Marsden, Chartered Accountants we trust that they will enjoy their time with us.

In conclusion long may we all continue to help to provide cricket in our part of Lancashire not forgetting a little piece of Greater Manchester and North Yorkshire.

Rod Slater

The league has known many exciting finishes to a season since its formation in 1892 but few will have been closer than the season that has just been concluded. Three clubs, Barnoldswick, Clitheroe and Settle all went into the final round of fixtures separated by just a single point, Great Harwood, although still with an outside chance of claiming the title, could only look for these three Clubs to make a complete hash of things as they were a further four points behind.

 Rain and flurries of snow greeted the new season with only two games surviving the cold and damp conditions on opening day, Ribblesdale Wanderers and Great Harwood gaining away victories against Earby and Settle respectively. The following Saturday Read's Terry Little scored the first century of the 2005 season finishing exactly 100 not out as the defending champions got their season of to a winning start against a team who would look to be challenging themselves for honours, Great Harwood. Whalley provided the first shock of the season when they beat defending champions Read by eight runs at Station Road. At the end of May Cherry Tree and Great Harwood had emerged as the early pace setters with Settle and Blackburn Northern both in close attention. Earby were still seeking their first win of the season, whilst defending champions Read now found themselves in the lower reaches of the league. Earby began June with a victory against the current league leaders Cherry Tree at the half way stage of the season Great Harwood were five points in front of Settle with Edenfield in third position and Clitheroe fourth. July started badly for Great Harwood, the league leaders, they were beaten by second placed club, Settle, and then crashed to 64 all out against Read, Settle beat Ribblesdale Wanderers to move to the top. Clitheroe remained very much in contention after gaining maximum points against Barnoldswick. By the end of July Clitheroe had moved into a slender one point lead but just four points separated four clubs with Settle, Great Harwood and Barnoldswick all still very much in the race for honours. Bad weather meant that only two games went ahead on Saturday 13th August, both important as the race for league title continued, in a rain effected game at the Marshfield Settle beat rivals Barnoldswick to move above Clitheroe who lost to Baxenden in a reduced overs game. Every game was now important to the top three clubs, Barnoldswick defeated fourth placed Great Harwood to move just a single point behind second placed Clitheroe who played out a tie against Padiham. Leaders Settle slipped up at Cherry Tree losing by one wicket, home team professional, Zahoor Elahi, finishing the game with a six. By the end of August Clitheroe now held a one point lead over Settle, Barnoldswick were third, three points behind the leaders. So the destiny of the 2005 championship would be decided over the last three games of another intriguing season.

With fixtures scheduled for Saturday 3rd September and Sunday 4th Barnoldswick won both there games against Baxenden and Whalley respectively claiming ten valuable points, Settle had a comfortable 10 wicket victory over Earby, but the following day were beaten by Padiham who edged home with their last pair at the wicket with just two balls to spare. Clitheroe lost heavily to Read before bouncing back with a seven point win against Blackburn Northern. On the final day of the season four teams, Barnoldswick, Settle, Clitheroe and Great Harwood all had a mathematical chance of taking the title. The Dales side under the astute captaincy of Andrew Davidson took the honours to win the title for the first time since 1984, seventh time in all, by just a single point after piling up the runs against Read. The five point win was just enough to keep out Clitheroe who were disappointed to be taking only five points at bottom club Oswaldtwistle. Barnoldswick's hopes vanished with a home defeat against Padiham, Great Harwood claimed fourth place with a seven point victory against Earby.

By their victory Settle recorded their first Senior League and Ramsbottom Cup double.

Blackburn Northern, who briefly lead the table earlier in the season, and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel will both have to apply for re election after finishing in bottom two positions. The surprise of the first round of the Ramsbottom Cup was the 99 run defeat of Read by Earby, holders Settle comfortably beat Clitheroe who were dismissed for 87; Blackburn Northern surprised Great Harwood with an impressive 87 run win. Barnoldswick, Cherry Tree and Edenfield also progressed into round two. Edenfield and Settle were the first two clubs to progress into the semi finals, Edenfield beating Cherry Tree in a game that was interrupted by bad weather whilst Settle secured a two wicket victory over Blackburn Northern. Games at Barnoldswick and Oswaldtwistle both fell victims to the weather. The following week end saw Barnoldswick beat Baxenden by four wickets and Oswaldtwistle winning also by four wickets against Earby. In the semi finals Settle recorded a 107 run win over Barnoldswick. They set a target of 269 with professional Mohammed Hafees scoring 123 and Tim Green 62. Barnoldswick were dismissed for 162. Edenfield swept to victory, and a place in their first ever final, with a 122 run victory over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Liam Bones taking 5 for 20 as the visitors were dismissed for just 85.

Settle retained the Castlemaine Ramsbottom Cup with an impressive 58 run victory at the Marshfield. Despite the home professional failing to trouble the scorers the dales side went on to score 205 for 7 wickets. Edenfield captain, Chris Hanson, was taken to hospital with a suspected broken bone in his hand, he returned to bat at number 10 but could not rescue his side after wickets had fallen at regular intervals.

The Lawrenson Cup was won for the first time by Ribblesdale Wanderers who defeated Edenfield in the final. Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd XI who lead Division 1 from the beginning of May finished champions eight points in front of their nearest rivals, Salesbury. Following their earlier cup triumph the team from Church Meadow also recorded their first league and cup double.

Settle 2nd XI claimed the Division 2 championship finishing five points in front of Whalley, both teams will play in Division one next season. Cherry Tree claimed the Division Three title for the seventh time Great Harwood won the inaugural Ribblesdale League Thwaites 20 - 20 Cup Competition, in the final Great Harwood scored 158 for 4 wickets Matthew Haworth top scored with 42. Despite substitute Professional Oliver Newby scoring 110 not out visitors, Read, found themselves needing to score just one run from the final ball for victory, but Andrew Bennett was out caught behind to set of the home team celebrations.

There were a number of outstanding performances by both amateurs and professionals alike in the Senior League. The outstanding amateur of 2005 was, without doubt, Great Harwood's Russell Whalley who had a tremendous season with the bat, collecting no fewer than four awards at the Leagues Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening for his efforts. After scoring 1057 runs at an average of 55.63, to become only the third English born amateur to reach 1000 runs in a season, he collected the Senior League batting award. Claimed the highest individual score by an amateur, 155 against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel on August 28th, hitting thirteen fours and twelve sixes in an innings that only lasted 86 balls. Also scored 122 not out on two occasions against Ribblesdale Wanderers on 30^th April and against Cherry Tree on 16th June. incidentally Cherry Tree professional, Zahoor Elahi scored 135 not out in this game and still finished on losing side. Hitting seventy one six hits, highest ever recorded, he finished no fewer than 51 in front of his nearest challenger to win Taylor Weaver Award for the third consecutive season. Finally, he collected his Player of Year Award, the TSB Trophy. The Senior League Bowling Award went to Gerard Metcalf of Oswaldtwistle Immanuel. The veteran slow right arm bowler took 55 wickets at an average of 13.29 runs per wicket. Best bowling performance by an amateur was by Michael Scothern of Barnoldswick took 9 for 82 against Great Harwood. Jack Cross Junior Player of the year award was won by Will Driver, At Read since he was eight years of age this 16 year old right hand batsman scored 799 runs in his first season in senior league cricket, highest score of 91, scored fifty or more on no fewer than eight occasions also represented league in MEN competition scoring 59 against the very strong Bolton League in the semi final. Now part of the Lancashire County Cricket Academy he has also played representative cricket for the North of England.

Settle 2nd XI collected the Team Sportsmanship award with an average Umpires Mark of 8.07 out of a maximum 10 per game.

From the professional ranks, Barnoldswick's Jeeva Kulatunga scored 194 not out against Cherry Tree, Cherry Tree's Zahoor Elahi scored over 1612 runs, the highest ever aggregate for a season, at an average of 100.75 per innings. After moving from Ribblesdale Wanderers to local rivals Clitheroe Shahid Nawaz scored 1386 at an average of 66. Mohammed Ayub, Earby scored 1251 runs. For the senior champions professional Mohammed Hafeez, who replaced the injured Robin Morris, in 15 innings scored 914 runs, also took 55 wickets at average of 11.12. Stuart Hornby with 57 wickets and Paul Ridgeway with 51 were leading wicket takers for the double winners. Wicket keeper David Worthington also played his part claiming Senior League wicket keeping prize with 34 victims. Clitheroe scored 229 without losing a wicket when beating Earby at the Applegarth, professional Nawaz scored 143 and Neil Bolton 66. In the fixture between Read and Barnoldswick on 23rd July at Read visiting professional Jeeva Kulatunga scored 155 not out and Paul Beech 102 out of a total score of 312 for 3 wickets. Read scored 236 to give a match aggregate score of 548 runs, second highest recorded.

Lowest score was 41 all out by Whalley against Padiham on Saturday 25th June. Padiham themselves were dismissed in the first innings for just 91, professional Kasif Siddique scored 51 runs and then took 5 wickets for 14 runs. Three Clubs in particular will look back on the season with a great deal of satisfaction, Edenfield who had to apply for re election at the end of the 2004 season reached the Ramsbottom Cup Final and finished a creditable sixth in the league; their second XI also reached the final of the Lawrenson Cup. Padiham who finished twelfth in 2004 moved up to fifth and will play along with Settle, Clitheroe, Barnoldswick and Edenfield in the Thwaites LCB competition in 2006. Whalley who have struggled at the foot of the table in recent seasons more then doubled their previous seasons points total to finish tenth, their second XI will play in Division One next season after finishing runners up to Settle in Division Two.

In the Manchester Evening News Inter League Knockout competition our Senior Representative side beat the Bolton Association by 29 runs in the first round before meeting the favourites for the competition the Bolton League. Played at Read the Bolton League scored 296 from their 45 overs, in reply 61 from Clitheroe's Neil Bolton and 59 from Will Driver helped see the home league to victory by five wickets. Unfortunately in the final we failed to produce anything like our best form and lost to the Saddleworth and District League, batting first our hosts scored 197 all out, in reply only Francois Herbst, Baxenden, with 83 performed with the bat as we slipped to a disappointing 157 all out.

It is again my pleasure to record the continuing high standard of our Umpires, but the dimishing numbers recorded in 2004 continue causing greater problems for the League Umpires Secretary to provide Clubs with two umpires for every match. Despite him making a number of appeals for new recruits he will have to rely upon use of Club appointed Umpires more and more.

We are forever grateful to the continued support from both press and local radio for their coverage of the league's activities.

Sadly we have to record the sad passing of the following, Ernie Sumner, Jim Duckworth, Keith Waterworth, Jack Edmondson, Ron Birch, Brian Fox, Neil Barton, Neville Duxbury and Brian Pratt.

We place on record our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors, Veka, Interbrew, Taylor Weaver for sponsoring our six hits competition, Peter Benson (Plywood) for their continued support of our Youth League Cricket we are extremely grateful for the support you give us.

We welcome two new clubs into the league for 2006 season, Brinscall and Feniscowles both join us from the now defunct Chorley and District Amateur Cricket League, we are sure that they will be made very welcome and we trust that they will enjoy their cricket with us for many years to come.

Finally my personal thanks go to my fellow officers, you the league management committee, Club officials and my wife, Anne for your continued support.

Rod Slater

Season 2004 Top of Page

In a contest more closely fought than an American Presidential Election two clubs dominated the 2004 senior league, Read champions in 2002 and 2003 and a resurgent Settle side both in contention for the honour of being crowned champions right up to the final game of another intriguing season.

Recognised as the team to beat favourites Read signed former Essex, Sussex and Durham all rounder Danny Law as their Professional also had the services of new Lancashire recruit Oliver Newby and former professional Peter Sleep in their ranks whilst Settle had engaged Indian all rounder Robin Morris as their professional they were also strengthened with the inclusion of Stuart Hornby after he reverted back to amateur status.

By the end of May only Read in the top flight had not lost a game, lead the table by 11 points from nearest challengers Settle, Barnoldswick and Clitheroe were also still in contention at this early stage of the season.

The villagers progress was serene until the week-end of 26th and 27th June when firstly Blackburn N and then nearest rivals Settle both beat them quite comprehensively, suddenly no longer did they seem so invincible. The title race was very much back on.

Read however responded in the best possible way as the went throughout July unbeaten in the league, but the still could not shake off the persistent challenge of Settle who had now reduced their advantage to just 2 points.

The leadership changed for the first time on Saturday 7th August, when Read crashed to defeat at Great Harwood, Settle comfortably beat Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to move 3 points clear at the top of the table.

Both clubs continued to match each others performances until 21st August when at Back Lane, with the help of an unbeaten 110 from Professional Jonathon Harvey, Baxenden dealt Settle's championship aspirations a severe blow as the beat the men from North Yorkshire by 53 runs. With both clubs winning their penultimate fixtures the destination of the 2004 Senior League Championship trophy would now be decided at Whalley Rd on the final day of the season.

Settle went into the game one point in front of Read, but in front of a packed ground and in glorious sunshine Andrew Davidson's side were unable to hit the heights as they were dismissed for just 115 runs and succumbed to a comprehensive eight wicket defeat.

Victorious Captain Warren Eastham ended his reign in charge at Read receiving the championship trophy yet again as his Club became the first side since the second world war to record three consecutive championship successes finishing just two points in front of runners up Settle, Great Harwood finished third twenty seven points further behind.

Edenfield and Whalley will have to apply for re election after finishing thirteenth and fourteenth respectively.

There were a number of impressive individual and team performances recorded throughout the season with no fewer than twenty-four individual scores of 100 runs or more. Padiham Professional Kasif Siddique recorded the highest individual score with 181, including 17 sixes and 10 fours, against Clitheroe on  12th June. Barnoldswick 's Matthew Plant with 134 against Read on the same day took the amateur award. Best bowling performance went to Read Professional Danny Law who took an incredible 9 for 32 including the hat trick against Ribblesdale Wanderers and Clitheroe amateur Simon Bishop who from just 7.4 overs took 8 for just 8 runs against struggling Whalley. Incidentally two other bowlers 17 years old Andrew Metcalf, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and Blackburn N's Farouk Butt both had eight wicket performances.

Fifteen-year-old Dominic Bulcock playing for Edenfield 3rd X1 took 5 wickets in 5 balls against Read on Sunday 18th July.

Shahid Nawaz Professional at Ribblesdale Wanderers passed a personal milestone of scoring 10000 Ribblesdale League runs in their game against Cherry Tree.

Great Harwood's Russell Whalley with 850 runs was the leading amateur run maker with Stuart Hornby of Settle with 97 wickets by far the leading amateur bowler. for the Professional's Andrew Crook of Great Harwood took the batting honours with 1259 runs whilst Danny Law of Read took the bowling award with 67 wickets. Oswaldtwistle Immanuel's Chris Burton with 34 victims took the wicket keeping honours.

Two outstanding Club Performances, Great Harwood's scored 333 for 4 wickets from 45 overs against Padiham on 5th June to set a new Senior League highest team score and Barnoldswick scored 262 without losing a wicket against Cherry Tree, Professional Kulatunga scored 162 not out and Ian Scothern 81 a new club record opening partnership.

We also had some lows, in the game that Simon Bishop took his 8 wickets Whalley were all out for just 22 runs against Clitheroe on Sunday 1st August, and on Saturday 7th August visitors Cherry Tree 24 all out against Edenfield for whom Liam Bones took seven for 14 runs.

Division One was also a close affair eventually won by Burnley Belvedere who claimed the League title for the first time since 1985 as they finished five points in front of runners up Ribblesdale Wanderers.

After finishing the champions in 2001 Burnley G.S.O.B's along with Padiham will play Division Two cricket next season as they finished eleventh and twelfth respectively. Division Two champions Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and runners up Blackburn N take their place.

Blackburn Northern were declared champions of Division of Division Three as they finished just a point in front of runner's up Cherry Tree.

The Ramsbottom Cup competition sponsored for the first time by Castlemaine XXXX was won in impressive style by Settle who lifted the trophy for the first time since 1970. The North Yorkshire side out played Great Harwood to romp to a nine wicket win. All the Great Harwood big guns failed to fire as they were dismissed for just 95 runs with John Hughes picking up 4 for 18 to claim the man of the match award. Professional Robin Morris then saw Settle to victory with a top class half century.

Lawrenson Cup competition final, also sponsored by Castlemaine XXXX, was played between Salesbury, who were looking to win the trophy in three consecutive seasons , and Barnoldswick. Barnoldswick batted first and scored 151 all out, youngster Daniel Oldfield top scored with 62 runs. Salesbury in reply could only muster 127 runs before they were all out. Barnoldswick claiming the trophy they had previously won in 1984.

Manchester Evening News Inter League Knockout Competition we were drawn to play on Sunday 13th June against the Central Lancs League in the first round, in a nail-biting end to the game we managed to come out on top by just nine runs with three balls to spare, Allan Armer, Great Harwood, top scored with an invaluable 95 runs, in the semi-final we were completely out played by a very strong Bolton Cricket League side, after we were dismissed for 176 runs, Mark Bolton of Clitheroe, top scoring with 51 not out the visitors opening pair almost saw their side to victory as we were beaten by nine wickets.

Held on Friday 29th October at the Mytton Fold Farm Hotel, Lancashire County Cricket Club Chairman, Mr Jack Simmons, was our guest speaker at the League's Annual Dinner & Presentation Evening. Amongst the prizes presented by Mr Peter Abbott, Managing Director of our main sponsors Veka, was the TSB Player Of The Year Award to Stuart Hornby of Settle, unfortunately the winner of the Jack Cross Young Player Award, Andrew Metcalf of Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, could not be present to receive his award. Barnoldswick Lynn Bowker won the Keith Crabtree Scoring Award and Ribblesdale Wanderers 2nd X1 collected the Team Sportsmanship Award.

The Disciplinary Panel sat on four occasions to hear reports involving six players and two clubs, this was two more than last year, let us hope that this trend will be reversed next season.

We again record the high standard of our Umpires and thank them for their services to the League. Unfortunately their numbers continue to decrease , unless this trend is reversed there could soon be a major problem for the League Umpires Secretary to provide Umpires for every league match.

We recognize and give thanks to the large number of people, umpires, scorers, tea room ladies, groundsmen and the small band of other willing workers who help to keep our clubs going.

We must also reflect on a number of sad events with the untimely deaths of Ken Longrigg, Jim Peters, Barrie Fenwick, James Kilroy, Stanley Greenwood, Gary Gregson and Wally Monk they will all be sadly missed but their memories remain with us.

We have maintained our friendship and co-operation with both the ladies and gentlemen of both the press and Radio Lancashire and are indebted for their coverage of our senior and junior cricket, also Mr John Heald for the efficient way that the results of matches are distributed, and Mr Wilf Woodhouse for running our excellent league web site. All these things help give the necessary publicity for our sponsors.

Cricket is an expensive game we record our thanks to our new league sponsors,  Veka. and Interbrew who sponsor both our cup competitions for the first time. The Executive are currently negotiating with both Companies for a continuation of their excellent deals. Peter Benson (Plywood) Ltd and Eye Design continue to sponsor and support our Youth League Cricket with Taylor Weaver of Blackburn again sponsoring Senior League 6 Hits Competition, we are extremely grateful for the support they all give us.

Finally my personal tanks go to my fellow officers, you the League Management Committee, Club Officials, my wife Ann for your continued help, co-operation and occasional good humour this all goes towards making the position of League Secretary most enjoyable

Rod Slater

Season 2003 Top of Page

As the start of another season approached it appeared that at last all of our prayers had been answered. Both March and early April enjoyed periods of fine dry sunny weather, but you only have to place two sets of stumps in the ground 22 yards apart, place two sets of bails on top, matching of course, and the clouds gather and rain begins to fall. Fortunately the sun did then shine from the beginning of June through to almost the end of the season.

The league was dominated by two Clubs, Read who completed a Senior League and Ramsbottom Cup double, and with a repeat of their 2002 double success of Division One championship and Lawrenson Cup, Salesbury.

After signing the effervescent Peter Sleep as Professional coupled with the welcome return of opening bowler, Oliver Newby from Northern Premier League club Blackpool, defending Senior League champions Read were recognised as favourites to repeat their 2002 success.

For much of the season Read lead the table, main treats coming from Clitheroe. Great Harwood, Settle and Ribblesdale Wanderers, they eventually claimed there tenth Senior League championship title sixteen points in front of runners up Great Harwood, Clitheroe finishing third, one point in front of Settle.

Main contributors to the champion's success were Professional Sleep, 1027 runs and 74 wickets, veteran Terry Little set a new Club Amateur batting record scoring an impressive 800 runs, Lancashire prospect Newby took 39 wickets.

Padiham and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel will both have to seek re election to the Senior League.

Under the leadership of new captain, Jason Rawson, Salesbury finished a massive seventeen points in front of their nearest challengers Great Harwood 2^nd XI to claim their third Division One Championship, Burnley Belvedere were a further ten points behind in third position.

Barnoldswick and Edenfield 2^nd Xl's are both relegated to play 2004 season in Division two.

Relegated in 2002 Stacksteads bounced straight back by winning Division two, losing only one game all season they finished eighteen points in front of Read 2^nd  XI who will also join them in Division One for 2004 season.

Burnley G.S.O.B's 2^nd  XI and Rolls Royce 2^nd XI will have to apply for re-election Division Three championship was decided by the 'average points' rule used in this division, Read Cricket Club 3^rd XI was proclaimed as Champions.

The final of the Ramsbottom Cup was played in glorious sunshine at Padiham between Great Harwood and Read. Batting first Great Harwood set a challenging target of 272, professional Andy Crook leading the way with 70 runs, he was well supported by fellow opener, Alan Armer who hit eleven boundaries on his way to a fine 61 runs. Russell Whalley also added a valuable half-century. Professional, Peter Sleep, was the pick of the Read bowlers with 2 for 39 from his 10 over spell.

At the interval Great Harwood appeared to be in the driving seat but the Read openers. Terry Little and Nick Marsh built the foundations for victory with an opening stand of 189 runs. Marsh scored 78 and Little exactly 100, with Sleep scoring 30 before he was run out in the most bizarre of circumstances, Read knocked off the required runs to claim the trophy they last won three years previously.

On a day that record gate receipts were taken Little was named as man of the match. In the first round of the competition Great Harwood's Russell Whalley wrote his name in the record books, hitting 18 fours and 18 sixes he scored a massive 214 runs from only 141 balls against Ribblesdale Wanderers, he shared a second wicket partnership of 235 with professional Andy Crook.

Lawrenson Cup final was played at Church Meadow between Ribblesdale Wanderers and Salesbury. Ribblesdale won the toss and decided to bat on a damp wicket, they quickly found themselves in a lot of trouble at 62 for 6 against some very accurate Salesbury bowling backed up with excellent fielding, and they eventually were all out for 120 in only the twenty third over. Salesbury took no chances as they passed their target in the forty - first over for the loss of just three wickets.

In the Leagues Youth section Under 18's champions for 2003 season are Blackburn Northern who finished two points in front of runners up Ribblesdale Wanderers. Read were crowned champions at Under 15 level, with Clitheroe runners up. Under 13's champions are Cherry Tree with Edenfield runners up, finally at Under 11's Clitheroe finished as champions four points in front of second placed Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

The Under 17's Brian Morris Memorial Trophy was won by Oswaldtwistle Immanuel who convincingly beat Blackburn Northern; Joel Byrom of Oswaldtwistle was named man of the match for his 112 runs. Under 16's Birchall Cup winners in a low scoring game were Ribblesdale Wanderers who beat previous season’s winners, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Read beat Clitheroe to win the Under 11's Arthur Shaw Challenge Shield.

At Inter League level our Senior Representative side under the astute captaincy of Barnoldswick's Michael Scothern made it through to the final of the Manchester Evening News Inter League Knockout Competition only to lose by the narrowest of margins to the Bolton League.

Read Cricket Club progressed to the quarter finals of the Thwaites sponsored L. C. B. Knockout Cup Competition only to lose by three runs against a very strong Liverpool Competition outfit Wallasey.

Our Under 15's representative side had a most successful season, winning the L.C.B's Michael Roche trophy final, against the holders of the trophy, the Palace Shield Competition in the final which was played at Great Harwood Cricket Club. They also reached the final of the North West Competition, unfortunately this competition does not allow you to play any of your County players and we were well beaten by the Central Lancashire League, who we had previously beaten in the Michael Roche trophy.

We did however also win the local Inter League Competition beating both the Lancashire League and the Palace Shield Competition.

Crowds flocked to Whalley Road as floodlit cricket came to the league when Read staged a 'pyjama' tournament involving themselves, Great Harwood and Burnley and Nelson from the Lancashire League. In a competition spread over three evenings Burnley comfortably beating the host club in the final Individual awards were presented at the Leagues Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening, held at Mytton Fold Farm Hotel, by the Guest Speaker for the evening, Mr. Richard Blakey of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Neil Bolton of Clitheroe who had an outstanding season with the bat scoring 862 runs won award to the Senior Player of the Year.

The Jack Cross Young Player award went to joint winners with Chris Burton, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel opening batsman and wicket keeper and Padiham's highly promising opening batsman Vishal Tripathi, who incidentally has now won a place at the E.C.B. accredited Lancashire County Cricket Club Academy

Team sportsmanship award was claimed by Ribblesdale Wanderers 1st XI.

Leading Senior League run maker was Edenfield's South African professional Ian Mitchell, in his second season with the Club he scored an impressive 1396 runs also took 68 wickets. Two professionals took 68 wickets, Gareth Flusk, Blackburn Northern and Peter Sleep, Read.

On Sunday 29th June Barnoldswick Sri Lankan Professional Kulatunga scored 195 runs from only 125 balls against Whalley.

The Leagues disciplinary Panel were called upon on just two occasions, but the increasing use of bad language on the field of play, at all levels, again gives us cause for concern.

Each year our sincere thanks are due to our Umpires for once again maintaining their high standards, their numbers may be getting a little bit thin on the ground but their quality is as high as ever.

This season saw the final year that Jennings Brothers plc. will be our main sponsors, we record our sincere thanks to the Cockermouth brewery company for their financial support over the past five years. We thank Peter Benson (Plywood) Ltd., for their continuing support of our Youth Cricket.

We are indebted to all of the local press for their coverage of our Senior and Junior cricket, our thanks go out to Mr Wilf Woodhouse as 2003 saw the launch of the leagues own web site which has already received many visitors. The site can be accessed at www.ribblesdalecricketleague.co.uk

Sadly we record the deaths of league stalwarts Mr. Roland Scott and Mr. Ronnie Loughlin.

League is indebted to the entire Executive for the Professional manner in which they have carried out their duties on behalf of the league, special mention for Mr David Marshall for his work with the fixtures.

Finally I would like to thank my wife Anne, all of the Clubs and their Representatives for their support throughout the past twelve months.

Rod Slater

The League welcomed Professionals from Australia, India, Pakistan, and South Africa to play alongside our local born paid men, whilst Barnoldswick, Edenfield, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Padiham, Settle and Whalley all had Professionals new to the League. Eight Senior League Clubs had re-engaged their 2001 Professional.

We started the season in bright sunshine - was this the long dry hot summer that we are all hoped for? We soon had our hopes dashed as it then seemed to rain from the beginning of May throughout the whole summer to the end of the season. How we managed to play so much cricket is a credit to all groundsmen and their helpers.

In one of the most closely fought battles for many years, with only five matches to play no fewer than four clubs- Barnoldswick, Cherry Tree, Read and Earby-all still had a realistic chance of lifting the Senior League championship trophy.

The double-headed fixtures over the weekend of 24th and 25th August resulted in Read claiming 12 points, five against long-time leaders Barnoldswick to move to the top of the table for the first time. Cherry Tree who started the weekend in second position lost ground when they suffered defeat against Ribblesdale Wanderers, whilst Earby's title challenge almost disappeared completely with a pointless weekend  from fixtures against Great Harwood and Clitheroe.

As we entered into the final three fixtures, Read with a five wicket  victory now effectively ended Cherry Tree's hopes. They followed this by claiming another five points the following day against Clitheroe. Barnoldswick in second place, kept the pressure on as the claimed twelve points over the weekend to remain just five points behind the leaders Read, both with one game to play.

Overnight rain made the Great Harwood ground unplayable and their game against the champions elect Read, was eventually abandoned without a ball having been bowled-this gave the men from Whalley Rd the two points they required to make the use of any calculators academic.

Our congratulations go to Warren Eastham and his team who claimed the title for the first time since 1979.

Barnoldswick long-time league leaders lost their final fixture at Baxenden to finish 7 points behind the newly-crowned champions.

Defending champions Cherry Tree, finished in third position, three points behind Barnoldswick, Ribblesdale Wanderers finished fourth, one point in front of an improving Settle.

Both Blackburn Northern and Edenfield who finished adrift at the foot of the table, will have to apply for re-election after finishing thirteenth and fourteenth respectively.

Cherry Tree did have success in the Ramsbottom Cup, beating Settle in a final that was interrupted by bad weather and spread over two days.

Division One was dominated by three teams, with Salesbury eventually finishing five points in front of the nearest challengers, Great Harwood, with Clitheroe a further six points adrift in third place.   

Salesbury completed a memorable season as they completed the double by defeating Ribblesdale Wanderers in the final of the Lawrenson Cup Competition. 

Baxenden and Edenfield were in close contention for the Division Two Championship throughout the season -the men from Back Lane emerging victorious to claim the title by two points, Settle finished third.

We are grateful to Jenning's Brothers for sponsoring our amateur awards.

Senior League batting award was won by Ian Clarkson of Earby, who scored 596 runs at an average of over 39.

Highest score by an amateur was made by Farouk Butt of Blackburn Northern who scored 112 against Great Harwood on the second Saturday of the season.

Michael Scothern, Barnoldswick, won the amateur bowling award which he had previously won in 1985. One of the most consistent performers in the League, he took 62 wickets at less than thirteen  runs per wicket. He also collected that most conveted of individual awards-Senior Player of the Year.

Great Harwood's Gordon Simpson claimed the award for the best bowling performance, as he claimed eight wickets for only thirteen runs against Blackburn Northern.

Simon Coulter, Clitheroe received the award for most wicket keeping victims, whilst his team mate, Mark Hargreaves, claimed the award for most catches.

Shahid Nawaz of Ribblesdale Wanderers, with 1086 runs and Lee Childs of Padiham with seventy-six wickets, were the leading Professionals

Winner of the Jack Cross Young Player Award also went to a member of Barnoldswick- batsman Matthew Nutter.

Our defence of the Manchester Evening News Inter League Knockout Competition never got started as we "lost" in a bowl-out to the Central Lancashire League at Middleton. Incidentally the Central Lancashire went on to win the Competition

League Disciplinary Panel sat twice during the season to deal with players reported by Umpires. Whilst we do not have a serious disciplinary problems in the league, the use of bad language on the field of play is something that has been highlighted by the Umpires as a cause for concern.

The League does, however, prefer clubs to deal with any disciplinary problems that are brought to their notice, but when they do, the punishment metered out must be sufficient to satisfy League Management Committee.

We thank all our Umpires for once again maintaining their high standards. Remember-they have the most thankless task in cricket, yet without them we would not be able to play.

It is sad that we have to record the deaths of the following League stalwarts: Barry Haydock, Blackburn Northern , Brian Duxbury, Cherry Tree, Peter Grainger, Read, Roy Nutter, Stacksteads, and Harry Dewhurst Umpire.

Our thanks to our main sponsors, Jenning's Brothers PLC Cockermouth, for their continued support of both our league and Cup Competitions, and also to Peter Benson (Plywood) Ltd. for his sponsorship of our Youth Cricket.

The League is indebted to Mr Arthur Shaw, Mr Brian Woodhead, Mr Derek Birchall, Mr Ron Walton, Mr Fred Booth and Mr David Marshall, for the excellent manner in which they have carried out their official duties throughout the Year.

My own personal thanks go to all who through their good humour and co-operation make my task as Secretary as pleasurable as possible. 

Rod Slater

Season 2001 Top of Page

The long range weather forecast promised us a summer to remember. Unfortunately it never materialised but our cricket more than made up for any lack of sunshine.

Settle Cricket Club found itself in the middle of an area affected by Foot and Mouth disease which necessitated three Senior League fixtures during May and one in early June having to be postponed-these were replayed at a later date in the season.

Previous winners in 1987, 1989 and 1997, Cherry Tree claimed the Senior League title on the final day of the season, when they beat Baxenden, who finished a commendable third. Runners-up in the 200 season Great Harwood again finished in second place, two points behind the champions. For the champions, Professional Naeem Asraf scored over 700 runs and took 55 wickets; Michael Veevers was their leading amateur batsman with 427 runs, whilst Nigel Robins chipped in with some vital bowling performances.

Both Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and Edenfield will have to apply for re-election to the Senior League after finishing in thirteenth and fourteenth positions.

History was made in Division One when Burnley Grammar School Old Boys claimed the League title for the first time in their eighty-year history as they finished ten points in front of long-time leaders Salesbury.

Sad to report, that after a miserable season in which they finished bottom of Division One, Old Rossendalions, who were promoted as Second Division champions and also won the Lawrenson Cup in the 2002 season , have found it necessary to resign from the League, starting a shortage of players and lack of help with the administration of the club as reasons for their demise.

Division Two was totally dominated by Earby, who led the table from almost the first game, to finish comfortable twenty-four points in front of nearest rivals Stacksteads.

Clitheroe were declared champions of Division Three as they finished ten points in front of nearest challengers, Stacksteads.

The Ramsbottom Cup Final between Earby and Great Harwood originally scheduled for Sunday 12th August had to be postponed due to our M.E.N. commitments, then bad weather took its toll on the reserve date, before finally taking place at Clitheroe on Sunday 2nd September in overcast conditions.

Great Harwood previous winners in 1990 and 1995, took control of the game from the very beginning with some tight bowling and, with impressive fielding, they made their opponents fight for every run. Earby's total of 142 all out did not look like enough.

To stand any chance of victory, Earby