Baxenden could go 18 points clear with four games to play at the top of the Ribblesdale League table if results go their way this weekend.

Andy Caunce’s side face Cherry Tree and, if they take maximum points there and third-placed Barnoldswick beat title challengers Read, it will be Bash who will be massive winners on the day.

But whatever happens, their fate is in their own hands as they look to clinch their second league title in three years.

"We are in the driving seat and, at this stage of the season, it’s definitely better to be in charge than in the chasing pack," said the Bash skipper.

"We could go 18 points clear but whatever, it is in our hands.

"After tomorrow, we have Whalley, Great Harwood, Padiham and Settle to play and we have got to try and win all those.

"We did drop 18 points behind Read at one stage when we lost five league games on the bounce and then, I couldn’t put my finger on what had gone wrong.

"There was no trouble in the camp, we were doing the same things, but it just wasn’t going our way.

"But since we came out of that we have hit form. We played Read the weekend before last and it was perfect cricket from us; we outplayed them on the day and they were very complimentary to us.

"It was a huge result to beat them and now we have got to continue concentrating and doing our jobs."

But he admitted, if they do win the title this season, reclaiming it the year after could be hard if they lose pro Baber Naeem.

He has been at Back Lane for three seasons but it’s not definite he will return for a fourth.

"There are discussions at the moment but there are a few clubs chasing him, most notably Central Lancashire League clubs," said Caunce.

"He has had three years and loves the club, enjoys the banter and I know he will be gutted if he leaves.

"But he is well-paid and we have to find £10,000 from somewhere for two artificial nets this year so we may not be able to offer him the same terms and that’s why he may go elsewhere.

"But nothing is decided yet."

They would miss him, as was shown on Saturday when Naeem produced with bat and ball to keep Baxenden on top of the table.

The Pakistani all-rounder scored 67 out of the home side’s 191-7 against second-bottom Salesbury.

Naeem then claimed 5-42 as the visitors were dismissed for 104 in 35.3 overs to give the 2009 champions an 87-run victory.

"We are excited now for every game," said Caunce. "There are no nerves as we know, if we go out and play to our potential, they we should come out on top and that’s what we have got to keep doing.

"It would be fantastic if we could win the league – that’s the aim at the start of every season and hopefully we can fulfil that. For me, I have won the Bolton Association and the¿Lancashire League so it would be great to add to Ribblesdale League to my collection.

"But there is still five games left and anything can happen."

Great Harwood are fifth in the league but there is a 28-point gap to fourth-placed Whalley.

Stuart Maher’s side saw off Padiham at the Arbories on Saturday but it was a tight game – they won by just seven runs.

Opener Matt Howarth top scored with 46 and pro Syed Shahabuddin and Patrick Swanney hit 26 which proved vital in their 198.

Padiham were in an out of the game but five wickets from Shahabuddin and two from Paul Houldsworth sealed the victory.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel lost out to Earby by four wickets.

There were good starts by several Immanuel batsmen but none were able to build up a big score with Oliver Clare (28) and Paul Dignan (27) top scoring in their 155.

Gerard Metcalf took three wickets but Earby held out for the win.

GREAT Harwood’s Geoff Allen compiled the only century of the day in their 75-run win against Padiham in Division One. Indeed, Padiham can thank the 54-year-old for sealing their relegation fate.