BAXENDEN captain Mark Rishton thinks the new rules could make a huge difference.

The Ribblesdale League has fallen in line with the Lancashire League with ten points for a win.

There are bonus points for bowling the opposition out like previously but also, in the second innings, there are bonus points for wickets taken - ie if there are five wickets taken the team will get one point, six will get two etc - and points for getting within 50/40/40/30/20/10 of the total for the batting side.

"That will be interesting," said the Bash captain, whose team finished third last season.

"The bonus points will make a huge difference as before, if you were nowhere near the total, teams tended to give up as they had lost and got no points.

"Now there is the chance for the lower order to get involved with the game and everyone has a big part to play as you get points for coming close to the target. It should work."

Baxenden have a hard act to follow after doing so well last season but still have bowling pro Jonathan Fielding in their ranks, who took 68 wickets last summer.

They have got a couple of new players in Dominic Bulcock (Edenfield) and Andy Marshall (Ramsbottom).

"Andy has done well in our friendlies and I think we have got the balance right in the team.

"We have been lucky this season as, with the weather, we have got four friendlies in.

"I don't think we have done that before and I have had a chance to try out a few things. In the past we have gone into it cold but we can't say we are not prepared this season.

"We also won both our games in Ireland - that was a good trip!"

The players went on a weekend tour to Cork to play in friendlies after meeting up with some Irish players who had come over to watch the Ashes - and took in a Baxenden game.

But it is all now focused on this season and the aim is to finish higher than in their last campaign.

"Last year we said we wanted a Lancashire Cup place - a top four finish - and we got that.

"Now we have to look to improve and maybe go one or two steps higher although I am sure the other teams will have something to say about it.I don't think there is a favourite this year.

"Blackburn Northern will be a dangerous side, Great Harwood will be if their pro does his bit, then there is Settle, Read, Padiham and hopefully us.

"No one stands out and hopefully it will be wide open."

Baxenden start their season against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.