ANDY Crook is not sure where he will be playing next season so he is determined to sign off with a trophy at Great Harwood.

Harwood travel to Settle on Sunday in the Castlemaine XXXX Ramsbottom Cup final.

In the two years Australian Crook has been at the club, they have come so close to lifting a trophy finishing second in the league last season and runners-up to Read in the cup after a high-scoring final.

So now the big hitter is determined to help Harwood win some silverware as he could be playing for Lancashire next season.

He has been playing for Lancashire seconds over the last five weeks and is waiting to hear if he has earned a contract alongside his brother, Steve.

"It would be massive for me to win on Sunday," admitted Crook. "It is especially important if I am not here next season as I want to finish on high."

"Last season we got a big score in the Ramsbottom Cup final but we took our foot off the accelerator and got punished. We won't be doing that again."

"I don't know what will happen next year. I have been playing for Lancashire seconds and doing quite well. I have taken a lot of wickets but it just depends."

Harwood have certainly got the support as there are four mini-buses making the trip over along with several car fulls.

"I guess we were disappointed we had been drawn away but in another way, it gives all the people of Great Harwood a day out."

"I am really excited."

Settle may think they have the advantage having overtaken Read at the top of the table this week and they defeated Great Harwood easily a couple of weeks ago.

They didn't have top bowler Stuart Horny bowling as he recovered from an injury but he was back to his best against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel last weekend taking eight wickets.

"They didn't have Stuart Hornby bowling and I think we had one or two missing as well so it evens itself out," said Crook. "Early on the pitch was good - but it deteoriated as the game went on. it doesn't matter though as it depends on the wicket on the day. That game counts for nothing now."

Crook has chalked up 1020 Veka Ribblesdale League runs and 200 in the cup - including a superb unbeaten 109 against holders Read in the semi-final.

He admits he is pleased to get over the 1000 run mark.

"Most professionals are happy to get to a 1000 runs, I think three or four of us have done it in the league so it is good for all of us."

Another in the runs is skipper Russell Whalley, who is chasing the league amateur record of 1035 runs.

The prolific scorer hit 107 in Harwood's win over then leaders Read at the weekend.

"Russell had had a couple of low scores so he was pleased to get a 100 at the weekend and enjoyed it against Read. He must have around 730 runs so far and is chasing the amateur record so hopefully he will be able to do it."

The only downside is that Harwood are not up there challenging for the title.

"We had lost a couple of players but we did feel we were still in with a chance of winning the league at the start of the season," said Crook. "We got off to a good start winning three on the run but then we lost three on the run and we knew we couldn't lose any more - but we have."

"Still if we can finish third, it is no mean feat and if we win the cup, it will have been a good season."

The league win over Read was a definite boost going into the cup final.

Whalley's 107 came from 96 balls with 15 boundaries and three sixes while Crook made 86 in 94 balls with nine fours and a six in their 238-9.

Read pro Danny Law was out for a duck as Chris Ramsker took 5-26 and leaders Read got knocked off their perch and fell 100 runs short.

Oswaldtwistle suffered a 145 defeat against new leaders Settle with pro Robin Morris making an unbeaten 94 in their 208-5. Hornby grabbed 8-26 as Immanuel struggled.

They face bottom club Whalley tomorrow while Baxenden make the trip to Blackburn Northern.