BAXENDEN professional Jonathan Fielding has made it clear that he wants to challenge his old club Clitheroe for the Ribblesdale League title.

And he helped his side move into second spot and on to the shoulders of the title favourites with victory over Blackburn Northern on Saturday.

The paid man took five wickets while it was opener Dave Parkinson who starred with the bat with 50 in Bash's 208-8.

The win meant Baxenden now lead the chasing pack in their bid to catch Clitheroe, who are nine points clear at the top.

"We are so highwe have got a nose bleed," joked captain Mark Rishton.

But he does realise it is only early days and staying up there is now the problem.

"No one will get carried away and we won't take any game lightly," said Rishton.

"We have got Oswaldtwistle tomorrow and their pro has been doing well. We have learnt the hard way this season that a pro can win a game. We found that out in our defeats against Earby and Settle as their pros battered us so we won't underestimate any side.

"One loss and we could drop down to sixth as everything is so close. There is only Clitheroe who have got a lead on everyone.

"But we have had a good spell. We lost to Earby a few weeks ago and we said then that anyone who puts a run together will shoot up the league and we have gone on a small run and are in second place. But it is early days."

Fielding has wanted to boost his wicket-taking and, after four the other weekend, he followed it up with five last weekend.

"The wickets are drier and turning for him so I think he is enjoying it at the moment," said the captain.

Bash will though be without opener Parkinson this week who has to rest his knee.

"It is disappointing but Dave could hardly run on Saturday. We do have strength in depth and can get good players from the seconds," added Rishton.

Great Harwood had a day to forget against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Only middle order batsmen Allan Armer (58), Paul Allen (33) and Robert Green (25) got going with the bat in Harwood's 174-8 as the top order fell cheaply.

Despite two wickets from Paul Newton, Wanderers celebrated a six wicket win which moved them up to third place in the league and leaves Harwood playing catch-up.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel pro Ahmer Saeed had another good innings as, after last week's 119, this time he chalked up 83 in their 156-9. He put on a 102 partnership with Paul Dignan (20) after Ossy were struggling on 16-2.

Despite Saeed then taking the three early wickets, it was a comfortable seven wicket win for Earby.