TEENAGER Daniel Metcalf was modest after hitting his first senior century.

"It was okay," said the 16-year-old after smashing an unbeaten 106 in 167 balls with 12 boundaries and a six as the opening bat for Immanuel.

But he did admit it was a huge landmark for him, especially as it takes him towards that magic 500 league runs - he is already on 470 for the season.

"It was the first time I got a century in the senior league and I was pleased at the end - although I was absolutely shattered!" he said.

"I have been doing well but getting past 50 and not kicking on so now I have kicked on.

"I had been batting number three last season but Ibby (captain Imran Abid) told me I was opening this season and to turn the 40s and 50s into 70s and 80s and it has worked."

Despite being only 16 - and waiting for his GCSE results from Mount Carmel High School before he goes on to study at A-Levels St Mary’s College - he is a Ossie regular with three years experience in the first team.

But the Lancashire Under 16 player knows that this is now his year.

"It has been a good season for me and the club. I think it is coming right for me now as I am older and stronger and have worked hard over the winter.

"I have always been a patient player but I have got stronger and bigger and gained more experience.

"It was daunting when I came into the team at 13 but now I have got used to it."

Other clubs will be casting envious eyes at New Lane but Daniel isn’t ready to be swayed.

"I have grown up at New Lane and really enjoy playing for Ossie. My dad and brother play here and I have a lot of friends.

"We have had a good start to the season and obviously I am enjoying it because in other seasons we have been nearer the bottom.

"I think we have had one of the best amateur bowling attacks in the league for some years and now the batsmen are chipping in as well.

"I hope we can finish in the top four or five and we are all looking forward to doing that. So all I want to do is concentrate on my game and hopefully get to 700 or 800 runs. If someone had told me I would get to 500 at the start of the season, I wouldn’t have believed them."

And it means it is all set up nicely for a local derby against Great Harwood tomorrow, who slipped to a loss against Barnoldswick at the weekend despite seven wickets from pro Raouf Akbar.

Their skipper Russell Whalley is having a strong season too with 514 league runs so far and Daniel is looking forward to pitting his wits against the defending champions.

"We owe them one as they hammered us on the first day of the season but we have improved a lot since then. We know them well as Russell used to pro for us and hopefully we can pay them back."

But he thinks Baxenden - who saw off the challenge of Earby at the weekend to open up a 37-point gap at the top - will continue their blistering run.

"I think they will go through the season unbeaten. Any side who has Baber Naeem and Ian Austin in will be tough to beat as they are two of the best players in the league."

FIXTURES:

Tomorrow

Cherry Tree v Blackb Northern; Earby v Clitheroe, Edenfield v BAXENDEN; GREAT HARWOOD V OSW IMMANUEL; Read v Whalley; Ribblesd Wand v Barnoldswick; Settle v Padiham