Stuart Maher said he knew there was some kind of curse on Great Harwood’s ground improvement when three loose cows trampled on the outfield.

The club won a Biffa award of £18,500 to improve the Cliffe Park ground which they hoped to complete ahead of the Ribblesdale League season in April.

Instead, they still haven’t played a home game, with last week’s clash at home to Clitheroe meant to be their opener – but torrential overnight rain made it a washout.

But that was just the latest in a series of setbacks which has hit the project, overseen by Harwood bowler Maher.

"It’s been a nightmare to be honest but it’s not the contractors’ fault, they have been great – the weather has been the biggest contributor.

"It was meant to be finished before the season started but the weather has been so bad that there were a number of delays.

"Then we thought it would happen this weekend and we got the league umpires up on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of last week and they said the ground was fine but then torrential rain overnight meant it was flooded and it was a disaster to be honest.

"A couple of weeks before that, it was all going well and then three cows got loose and managed to find their way to our ground and trample all over it.

"You have to laugh or else you will cry.

"You do begin to wonder when things are going to go right but this fine weather is what we need – hopefully we can finally play at home a week tomorrow.

"We have lost a lot of income from not having home games, we have juniors who are losing interest because they are not playing at home and it is really frustrating but we have to hope we are on the home straight now."

While Harwood are frustrated off the pitch, Baxenden were on the pitch as they were held back at league leaders Barnoldswick on Saturday.

Barlick skipper Matt Nutter described it as ‘a big win’ as they overcame the defending champions .

"We need to be winning these types of matches," said Nutter as Barnoldswick wrapped up a 31-run success without too many alarms.

Indeed, it could have been even worse for the senior league holders. Chasing 134 for victory, Baxenden found themselves 7-4, 28-5, 47-7 and 48-8 before Liam Riley helped the tail wag with a breezy 44.

Bash pro Kamran Younas claimed 5-50 as the home team was dismissed for 133 in 36.2 overs.

But Baxenden were soon up against it, hindered by Imran Khalid’s 5-43.

Barnoldswick lead the table by eight points from Read who kept up the pressure by hammering Whalley by nine wickets.

At the other end, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel are still hunting for their first league win but it was only a narrow victory for Settle.

Settle made 136 with Gerard Metcalf the pick of the Immanuel bowlers with three wickets.

Opener Oliver Jones hit 50 and Oliver Clare 31 but the overs ran out for Nick Payne’s side.

All the teams have a chance to put it right this weekend in the double header.

The good news for Bash is that Barnoldswick play Read on Sunday so there will be points dropped.

Andy Caunce’s side are at home to Ribblesdale Wanderers and Cherry Tree while Harwood are on their travels – at Earby and Ribblesdale Wanderers as they look to build on their one win so far.

Immanuel welcome Cherry Tree and Clitheroe to New Lane.