Not so long ago, Great Harwood were locked in the bottom two and it seemed a season to forget for the Cliffe Park outfit.

Fast forward six weeks and the 2008 champions are closing in on rivals Baxenden - who were widely tipped for title success this season before a slump.

Harwood are just 13 points behind Ian Austin’s out-of-sorts side and, with a weekend double header, could overtake them - something that seemed impossible in early July.

Then Bash were topping the league and Harwood were 37 points behind them and at the wrong end of the table.

But Harwood have clawed their way back and three successive wins - over Settle, Baxenden and their most recent over title-chasing Padiham - has propelled them up the table and a top three spot is now not out of the question.

"If we hadn’t had such a bad start we could have been up there," said stand-in captain Paul Houldsworth.

"I would say we are now the in-form team of the league with one loss in our last six or seven games and it’s not inconceivable that we can finish in the top four and get a Lancashire Cup spot.

"We did have a disastrous start, our pro wasn’t here and we were reliant on sub pros which is never ideal but now, despite still having to swap and change our side around, we have found our feet and want to finish as high as we can."

Houldsworth admitted this campaign was a shock for Harwood, who are more used to challenging for honours.

"At one point, we were battling just not to finish bottom," he said.

"At the start of the season, I remember reading one prediction panel which said we would finish eighth.

"We were scoffing at that after winning the league two seasons ago and then finishing runners-up last season.

"Then, a couple of months into the season, eighth was suddenly looking like a good position for us and we would have been happy with that.

"But after our recent run we see no reason why we can’t get a top four spot.

"It has been really frustrating as, if we had been firing on all cylinders as we have in previous seasons, we would have probably had the league wrapped up because it has been a funny season for everyone.

"It has been so close. Leaders Clitheroe have lost five games with still six matches left to play and I think Baxenden only lost three or four last season when they won it and we lost four when we finished second.

"If we could have just picked up a couple more wins we would have been up there. But now a top four spot would be fantastic and, with double headers for the next two weeks, we have a great chance."

Harwood saw off second placed Padiham on Saturday after beating Bash the week before.

Padiham managed just 68 at Cliffe Park with Allan Armer taking five victims behind the stumps. And, though they were soon losing wickets, Harwood survived to continue their improvement.

Harwood have a local derby at Oswaldtwistle tomorrow followed by the visit of bottom club Salesbury on Sunday.

For Baxenden, those table topping days have long gone after just two wins in 10 league encounters has seen them slip to fifth place - 34 points behind leaders Clitheroe.

At least they have got the Ramsbottom Cup in the bag but it will be no consolation to the defending champions who were looking to double-up again this season.

However they do have a chance to restore some pride - especially after Saturday’s 46 all out against title-challengers Read on a damp wicket - when they take on leaders Clitheroe tomorrow. They follow it up with Cherry Tree on Sunday.

OSWALDTWISTLE have fallen away after their good mid-season. They lost to Barnoldswick on Saturday with only Nick Payne making any progress with the bat with an unbeaten 53 in their 132-6. Barlick were always in charge and recorded a five wicket win.

Immanuel, though, are still only 22 points off a mid-table spot and so their derby with Harwood tomorrow followed by a clash at title-chasing Read on Sunday are important for their season.