OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel’s stand-in skipper Gerard Metcalf is hoping it’s their year for some cup success.
It’s been a tough opening to their League campaign with one win in their opening four games.
But the side, who finished at the bottom last season, could get some relief in the Ramsbottom Cup when they travel to Whalley tomorrow - who have also only won one match.
"We do have strength in depth in our bowling as we are not dependent on one or two bowlers like some teams," said the Immanuel captain, who is standing in for regular skipper Imran Abid.
"But we need our batsmen to start firing on all cylinders if we are to do well.
"Daniel (Metcalf) has got a couple of half centuries but has had limited support from the rest of us and we all need to start chipping in if we are to achive the consistency required to progress.
"Whalley won the Twenty20 last season so they have quality although their Indian pro Vinit Inukar is a bit of an unknown quantity.
"But I think the league will be interesting as anyone can beat anyone if they get it right on the day."
Immanuel had a good win in their second league game over Ribblesdale Wanderers but suffered a double loss at the weekend.
They lost by 49 runs to Cherry Tree on Saturday despite 56 from 16-year-old Daniel and 6-52 from dad Gerard. On Sunday, they lost to Read by 140 runs as Immanuel made just 76.
"Sunday was just one of those days - everything went right for Read and wrong for us," said Metcalf. "Saturday we should have got closer and it was disappointing."
It’s four out of four for Baxenden as they continue to enjoy a stunning start to the league season. They beat Ribblesdale Wanderers by 92 runs on Saturday with pro Baber Naeem taking 5-17.
On Sunday, Naeem’s 58 and Ian Austin’s 60 took them to an 84-run win over Cherry Tree.
GREAT Harwood, with pro Raouf Akbar making his debut, saw off Clitheroe by 80 runs on Saturday but lost to fellow title challengers Padiham on Sunday as they struggled to get going with the bat.
