BAXENDEN professional Jonathan Fielding is ready to chase his former club all the way for the Ribblesdale League title.

Fielding won the crown with Clitheroe in 1994 and his old club currently lead the way and are hot favourites to claim the title again.

But Fielding feels Bash's 34-run win over Barnoldswick at the weekend - where he hit a season-high 120 - could propel them on to climb the league.

"We have been inconsistent this season with four wins and two losses but I do think we are beginning to settle down now" said the 31-year-old who took over from Sri Lankan Indika Gallage this season.

"It is always difficult coming to a new club, especially after four seasons in the Bolton League, and there are a number of new players here.

"But, in the last few games, we seem to have clicked and now hopefully we will go on a run and get into the top two.

"Clitheroe are favourites to win the league. I know a lot of the people there and they have some good players - some who have been professionals elsewhere. They should have won the league last year as they had a similar team but they came second and that shows there is a chance for any other team.

"We are the only team to have beaten them this season but you could see that they are a very good side.

"But the title is there for the taking as, when you look at the top half of the league, most of the teams have already had two defeats. Anyone can beat anyone on their day."

Fielding knows the secret of league success - it is now just a case of putting it into practise.

"I have won this league and you need consistency and any team who can go on a run should certainly be up there challenging Clitheroe," said Fielding.

"If you have a half decent side and then get on a winning streak it breeds confidence. Not always the best side wins the league as Clitheroe have shown in the last couple of seasons. On paper, they are the best side, but if you can put a run together then you stand a good chance and we want to do that.

"We have Blackburn Northern and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel in our next two games who are near the bottom. They are still tough ones but we should beat them and we need to if we are to go on a run."

And he is determined to play his part as Baxenden look to make an impact at the top end of the table.

"It was a relief to get 120 and I enjoyed it. I got eighty-odd against Great Harwood but other than that I have been struggling. Hopefully this is the start of my season," said Fielding who hit 17 fours and seven sixes in his knock off 75 balls to take his tally to 268 runs for the season.

But the paid man's main aim is to get in the wickets.

"For the last six or seven seasons I have got 100 wickets and I think I have only got 16 wickets so far so I have got a bit to go with that! If I get 800 runs and 90 wickets, I will be happy."

But one thing which isn't making him smile is wicket keeper Andrew Caunce who came with Fielding from the Bolton League.

"He never stops talking! Honestly he drives us mad. He is too noisey all through the game and we all want him to shut-up!"

Meanwhile Oswaldtwistle Immanuel almost had something to shout about in their high-scoring game with Cherry Tree.

Immanuel pro Ahmer Saeed hit a stunning 119 in replay to Cherry Tree's 258-4 but they fell agonisingly 35 runs short. Paul Dignan got his best score of the season with 70 in a strong third wicket partnership with the pro.