GREAT Harwood skipper Russell Whalley is already conceding his side’s league title to Baxenden - and says they deserve it.

Harwood and Bash are big rivals and, last season, Baxenden missed out as Harwood clinched their first league title in over a century.

But this season, it’s Ian Austin’s side who are running away with the league, having played 11 and won 11 which has got the Ribblesdale League officials reaching for their record books, believing it to be a league record.

Bash, though, do have a long way to go to emulate Read who went through the season unbeaten in 1972 with Alan Worswick as pro, with 12 teams then competing.

But, whatever happens, Whalley says Bash will be worthy winners if they clinch their first title since 1993.

"They have shown they are the best team in the league and I wish them well," said Whalley.

"It’s not the best side on paper, it’s the side who wins the most games and you can’t argue with 11 league wins on the bounce.

"I can’t see them losing many games this season - we are 38 points behind them and that means they have to lose around four games if we are to stand any chance of catching them. I don’t think that will happen and good luck to them.

"I think any team in the league would have Baber Naeem as their professional and Bash have paid the money for him and he is doing the business.

"Then they have Ian Austin, Mark Rishton and Lewis McIntosh and they have got a good balance in their side.

"They are going to walk it. It’s not over until the fat lady sings but I can’t see them going on a bad run."

Whalley admits his side have suffered this season, losing last season’s prolific wicket taking pro Syed Shahabuddin while Pakistan all-rounder Raouf Akbar is still waiting to find his top form.

"The pro has a great attitude, he is willing to work hard and would bowl 23 overs right through if you asked him but it is just not falling for him at the moment," said the captain.

"He is keeping it tight without any reward. Stuart Maher is having a really good season though. He has 31 wickets so far and should be getting towards 50 or 60 by the end of the season.

"And Allan Armer is coming good with the bat when he is available.

"But our problem has been not having a settled side. We are a batsman and a bowler short and I think we have done really well to be third in the league as we have had to field a different side every time we play.

"People have been missing games for various reasons and we have just had to get on with it."

Whalley is proud of his own contribution this season after taking some stick in the last campaign after he failed to shine with the bat.

He did, though, miss some games after having an operation on his thumb but has come back stronger with 446 league runs so far - and a high of 89 - and he is third in the Ribblesdale League batting rankings.

"It is going well and I hope I have shown a few critics from last season," said Whalley.

"My aim is to get to around 1,000 runs and if we can finish second in the league then I think it will count as a good season for us."

They closed the gap on second placed Read with victory over the Whalley Road side on Saturday. Read made just 115 with Maher taking five wickets and then an unbeaten 54 from Armer and 32 from Whalley polished off the runs.

But Baxenden made sure they are in charge after a 14-win run over one of the pre-season title favourites Padiham.

Skipper Austin made 55 and McIntosh 42 while Naeem and Gary Sudworth took three wickets each top open up a 36 point lead at the top.

And Bash maintained their double quest when they reached the semi-final of the Ramsbottom Cup after a 40-run win over Cherry Tree.

OSWALDWISTLE IMMANUEL enjoyed an emphatic 10-wicket win over Settle as pro Andy Kerr got into the groove with the bat.

The paid man hit his highest tally of the season with an unbeaten 75 while fellow opener Daniel Metcalf, 16, closes in on 500 runs for the season with 46. Earlier Gerard Metcalf took 5-40.

But their cup campaign was halted by Padiham on Sunday despite 48 from Kerr.