THERE were plenty of celebrations in the Metalf household after a fantastic season for Oswaldtwistle Immanuel in the Veka Ribblesdale League.
Father, Gerald, and son, Andrew, combined to boost the bowling as captain Gerald took a career-best 58 wickets while Andrew, 17, hit his all-time high claiming 50 scalps.
It was a good show from the side who, combined with the batting of pro Raja Ali and young opener Chris Burton, helped Immanuel finished eighth.
This is their best result since they joined the senior league 10 years ago. And to cap a good season, their second team, captained by Chris Horsfield, were celebrating clinching the Second Division championship and winning promotion.
"I would be surprised if any other side had a father and son who have taken 50 wickets each in a season," said the skipper. "It is especially good for Andrew as, because he is 17, he has to deal with the bowling restrictions as well. But we have had bowling support all the way down the line and it has been a fantastic season."
They finished their campaign with a loss to Earby on Saturday although pro Ali hit 71 - and broke a spectator's car windscreen - and Gerald took five wickets and Andrew two.
And then they secured a five wicket victory over Ribblesdale Wanderers on Sunday. Gerald took 6-46 and Ali hit 68. "We are looking to bring Raja back next season and he wants to come back but it does depend on a work permit," said the captain.
And Baxenden paid man Jonathan Harvey, after four years at the club, bowed out in style. Bash have had a revival towards the end of the season and enjoyed a close six run win over Whalley on Saturday - Whalley needed a six with the final ball but it was caught on the boundary. Pro Harvey hit 52 and followed it up the next day with 92 in their loss to Cherry Tree.
And Great Harwood secured third place in a mixed weekend for the side.
But they did have something to shout about as, when Australian pro Andy Crook reached 56 on Saturday against Cherry Tree - he went on to make 102 with eight sixes - he broke the club's batting record for the most runs in a season. The record was held by Aftab Baloch who scored 1213 runs in 1982. Crook got 1259 in the league as well as his cup exploits, with 109 in the Ramsbottom Cup semi-final.
Crook's 100 came off 78 balls, with the second 50 off just 25 with Harwood making 285-6 for an easy win.
On Sunday, however, Harwood were rolled over by former Lancashire and England all-rounder Ian Austin who was sub-pro for Barnoldswick. He took 6-45 and then hit an unbeaten 77 in the win. Harwood are hoping Crook hasn't played his last game for them but the Australian is waiting to hear if he has been signed by Lancashire.
