LEAGUE leaders Baxenden will be aiming to stay on course for the double in a big weekend in the Ribblesdale League.

Mark Rishton's side are currently setting the pace at the top of the table as they look for their first championship since 1993.

And, going back to 1965, Baxenden have never won the Ramsbottom Cup but are ready to stay in the hunt on Sunday as the competition enters the quarter-final stages.

There is still more than half-way to go in the league but, as the cup enters the serious stages, Rishton admitted it would be special if they could win this trophy.

"I have been playing for 16 years and been in two cup semi-finals but never reached a final," said the Bash skipper.

"So it would be nice if we could do it. On paper, we will be expected to beat Barnoldswick as they are the bottom side in the league.

"But this is the main thing they have to play for now and they will have a sub-professional and we don't know who that is yet. That can make a big difference so we are not taking anything for granted."

It is a case of keeping everyone's feet on the ground for Rishton with more than half the season to go and Baxenden only one point clear at the top from Padiham.

"A couple of defeats and we can easily slip down the league so, although there is a bit more of a buzz around the ground as you expect when a team is winning, there is still such a long way to go," he said.

However, he admits that the opening partnership of Callum Waddington and Dave Parkinson is proving a formidable one this season.

Teenager Waddington celebrated his maiden senior century in Saturday's victory over Ribblesdale Wanderers with 114 in 135 balls with 14 fours and four sixes.

This took his overall runs tally for the season to 416 and Rishton put it down to a bit of Irish magic.

"Callum hasn't looked back since a pre-season trip to Cork," he said.

"When we were there he talked to a cricket stalwart called Eddie Calvert.

"He took time out to give Callum a few tips and he has played well since then.

"I was with at the crease on Saturday when he got his maiden century and it was special for him."

While Waddington is doing well he is more than ably supported by Parkinson who is leading the way on 459 runs.

"They have both done really well," continued the captain. "I think people thought we would slip up in our last two games as Dave fractured his knuckle playing 20/20 cricket and has missed out. We have also had injuries to two more key players in Simon Payne and Gary Sudworth.

"But we have managed to come through that and stay at the top. It shows it is a team effort and we are not reliant on certain individuals.

"Dave should be back this weekend - definitely for bowling - and really we can have no complaints about the way we have started."

Before they tackle the cup game, Baxenden face fellow title challengers Blackburn Northern tomorrow in the league.

"That's a tough game," said the captain. "They were rained off last weekend and fell back a bit but they will have sub pro, probably from the Lancashire League, and that will be hard for us.

"It is an old cliche but we are just taking everything one step at a time at the moment and there is room for improvement.

"We are aiming for the double - there is no point in playing if you don't want to win things but there is such a long way to go."

GREAT HARWOOD'S West Indies Test professional Jermaine Lawson finally arrived - but couldn't help his side to a debut victory.

The Jamaican fast bowler certainly showed Earby what he can do taking 4-50 and restricting them to 139-9.

But Harwood could not get going with the bat with Ian Howarth top scoring with just 24.

They are at Ribblesdale Wanderers tomorrow before they face a tough game in Blackburn Northern in the cup on Sunday.

OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL found title challengers Padiham in good form as they celebrated a seven wicket win over Gerard Metcalf's side.

Immanuel face defending champions Clitheroe tomorrow followed by a cup clash with Cherry Tree on Sunday.