BAXENDEN know it could be make or break for the Ribblesdale League title tomorrow as they need to beat league leaders Clitheroe.
The two clash at Back Lane in what is match of the day in the league with third placed Bash needing to make up a 10 point deficit.
"If we are not up for this game, then we won't be up for anything!" said captain Mark Rishton. "If we want to win the league we need to win this game. If they win they could go 15 or 17 points ahead of us whereas if we win, we could cut it to five or three points and then it is game on."
Bash have got an advantage as they inflicted one of only two defeats on Clitheroe in the second game of the season.
And Baxenden are currently in-form with David Parkinson making 115 on Saturday and Simon Payne 51 in their victory over Whalley.
"David has been due a day like that and the track was really good. 240 was always a reasonable score to chase and we were confident we could do it.
"The thing which has pleased us this season is that we have never lost two on the trot. At the start of the season, our main aim was to get some consistency and we have done that. If we lose one, we tend to bounce back with two wins. But Clitheroe should be a really good game. There should be a few Baxenden supporters there and hopefully it will be a nice day."
Baxenden are eight points clear of fourth place Cherry Tree but are also aware that they are looking over their shoulder as well as looking to the top.
"At the start of the season, I wanted a top four finish and that remains the same and there are a few dangerous teams behind us," continued the captain. "Blackburn Northern are coming up strong and, as expected, Great Harwood are on a good run and they do look a dangerous side so we have got to be careful when we play these teams."
But Bash are hoping they are too now getting stronger with professional Jonathan Fielding aiming to improve on his wicket tally for the season.
"Jonathan wants to do well and if he doesn't, he gets mad with himself," continued the captain, with the pro having 39 wickets this season. "But the wickets are getting dustier and drier and that will help him."
While Baxenden are eyeing the league title, Harwood could still win three trophies. They are playing catch-up in the league but are starting to make an impression near the top especially after their win over Edenfield on Saturday.
And they are in the final of two trophies where they face a double showdown with Clitheroe over the next month.
Allan Armer's side won their 20/20 semi-final against Blackburn Northern last Friday and now face leaders Clitheroe at Great Harwood next Friday (28 July).
And those two sides will meet again after Harwood raced through to the final of the prestigious Ramsbottom Cup after overcoming Barnoldswick on Sunday.
Russell Whalley made one of his biggest knocks of the season with 83 as they secured an eight wicket win to face Clitheroe at Baxenden on August 6.
Oswaldtwistle Immanuel's pro Ahmer Saeed was in the runs again as he made 85 of their 165-8. He also took a wicket but title hopefuls Padiham held firm to secure the points in an eight wicket win.
- IMMANUEL are in 20/20 action tonight (6.15pm) at Church to raise money after their ground was wrecked by vandals.
