BAXENDEN are gearing up for one last push as they eye the runners-up spot in the Ribblesdale League.
Last weekend's programme was washed out and there are just five games remaining with Bash currently in fourth spot - just two points behind second placed Settle.
Baxenden captain Mark Rishton accepts that it is virtually impossible for anyone to catch league leaders Clitheroe now who are 20 points ahead of Settle.
But Rishton has set his sights on the runners-up place - starting with victories in their two home games this weekend against Blackburn Northern and Edenfield.
"They are both sides near the bottom and we will be expected to win but you never know," said the skipper. "Edenfield are our local rivals and they are always tricky games.
"It is a shame about last weekend. I was in China and I am not very good at not being there but they kept ringing me and telling me the weather was atrocious.
"It could have been a really good weekend for us if we could have beaten Barnoldswick and, with Settle and Clitheroe playing each other and Padiham and Great Harwood, we could have moved up a little bit but it wasn't to be.
"It is a shame that Clitheroe are so far away now but I think the race for second place will go down to the wire.
"I wanted us to finish in the top four at the start of the season so to finish second will be special. We are capable and now I want one last push in the last five games to see if we can get there!
"Whatever, it has been a great season after last year (when Baxenden finished ninth). We have had some good matches and I think it was the first time in 16 games - over eight years - when we beat Great Harwood. I am struggling to remember the time before when we did it so we have broke a bit of a hoodoo there."
There are still some crunch clashes to play with Baxenden facing third placed Padiham on Sunday September 3 and Settle have still to play Great Harwood.
And the Back Lane side are hoping they can perhaps battle for top spot next season, as professional Jonathan Fielding has been in talks with the club about returning.
The former Clitheroe and Walshaw pro has chalked up 409 runs, taken 58 wickets and made 10 catches this season.
Meanwhile, GREAT HARWOOD'S game against Padiham started - but couldn't be finished on Saturday
Allan Armer's side had made 148-9 in 31 overs with Russell Whalley top-scoring with 49. Paul Newton took 5-20 and professional Gyan Pandey 4-14 as Padiham were restricted to 126-9 after 23 overs.
Harwood face Ribbledale Wanderers tomorrow (Sat) and are at home to OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL on Sunday. Immanuel's pro Ahmer Saeed is still looking for that one run to beat the club's record of 1006 runs and he will be aiming to get it against Earby or Harwood this weekend.
