CRICKET: NO WONDER Baxenden are looking to snap up professional Jonathan Fielding for another season.

Bash have had a stunning campaign so far and are in the final of the Ramsbottom Cup on Sunday and currently top the league with just seven games left.

Fielding, who has won the league previously with Clitheroe, has taken 87 wickets in all competitions and secretary David Clegg confirmed they are looking to bring the bowler back, no matter what happens this season.

"We are in talks with him although there is nothing concrete at the moment.

"Hopefully we will work something out after the season he has had at the club.

"He has helped to put Baxenden back on the map. Last year we were third in the league but this season we will hopefully take it one step further."

The Ramsbottom Cup final on Sunday is a huge game for the club (1pm start with 48 overs).

They take on fellow title challengers Blackburn Northern on Blackburn's home turf - it was their turn to host the final no matter who played there.

Bash have never won the cup competition - they lost in the final in 1982 to Barnoldswick - and the secretary admits it is a huge day for all concerned with the club.

"The village are supporting us and hopefully there will be plenty of travelling supporters," said the secretary. "We are all excited about the game - although there is a bit of trepidation - but it is exciting times for the club.

"We will go through a lot of emotions on the day but hopefully we have answered some critics.

"Some people have labelled us a team with just 'two openers and a spinner' but we have shown in the cup that we are more than that.

"It was pleasing in the semi-final that the professional got 53 and Gary Sudworth got 41 and everyone chipped in with wickets. We are more than a team of three players as everyone has played their part.

"It has been a team effort all season. They are a good set of lads and we want to achieve something.

"We hoped to do well in the league but the cup has been something of a suprise for us.

"Now we have got to keep our feet on the ground in the league and hope we can see it through."

Baxenden chalked up their fifth win on the bounce against Settle at the weekend after another stunning bowling performance by Fielding who took 5-43 to take his tally to 73 league wickets for the season.

Dave Parkinson made a half century in reply and now has 635 league runs for the season, chased by fellow opener Callum Waddington with 595 runs.

Their semi-final clash at Whalley on Sunday was always going to be tricky at this stage of the competition but this time bowlers Fielding (53) and Gary Sudworth (41) starred with the bat in their 200-8.

Sudworth's contribution was crucial and he then took two wickets - to take his tally to 32 in all competitions - as Whalley fell 39 runs short.

OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL celebrated only their third league win of the season on Saturday against Whalley.

Imran Ahmed made a valuable 30 in their 153 all out while captain Gerard Metalf took three wickets as they ran out seven wicket winners. This moved them out of the bottom two places for the first time since mid-June.

And it was another weekend to forget for Great Harwood as they lost to Cherry Tree by 36 runs.

Cherry Tree made 212-5 and, despite 61 from returning Allan Armer, they fell short.

They still occupy fourth spot in the table but are 44 points behind leaders Baxenden.