OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel have one ace up their sleeve for next season - their paid man Ahmed Saeed.
The Pakistan all-rounder has broke the club record this season with 1097 runs, from 1006 which was set in 1996, and has also taken 52 wickets - including 7-31 in their final day victory over Blackburn Northern.
And, although they may have finished second off bottom, they did rewrite the Ribblesdale League record books after their 559 run clash with Blackburn Northern was the league record highest scoring game. Northern got 307-8 and Immanuel's reply was 252-8.
"We have played better than we did last year," said Metcalf, whose side chalked up three league wins.
"We have competed in a lot more games this season and have been unlucky in some games, with no results when we have been in a good position when the games have been washed out.
"It has been hard. The ground was dug up at the start of the season by builders which affected the drains and we were lucky to actually play cricket on it - everyone worked really hard to get the games on. Then we lost some players and we always knew it would be difficult.
"But hopefully we can sign a few players and do well next season. We are always looking for new players. We have Ahmer back which is a big boost. He will be in touch by e-mail throughout the winter and it is good to have the pro all signed and sealed."
It is a young side but Metcalf has been impressed by one player in particular - Oliver Clare who has got 462 runs with a high score of 65 this season.
OSW IMM 2nd XI v Burnley Belvedere, away, Sat. Start 1pm: Meet ground 12pm: J dawson, A McIntyre, P Mayers, V Woods, D Crossley, T Andrews, P Howard, D Connor, M Wilcockson, A Thompson, Mick Brandon. Res: J Nugent, M Burton, S Roberts. Scorer: S Mcintyre
OSW IMM 3rd XI v Edenfield, Sunday, home. Meet ground 12.15: A Calrk, S Smithson, M Philipson, Mark Brandon, S Norris, O Jones, F Heyes, B Birch, J Hornsby, Mark Burton, S Dunne. Res: N Smith/A Thompson. Scorer;T Groom
