OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel may be at the wrong end of the Ribblesdale League table - but their pro is a record breaker.
Ahmer Saeed has been outstanding for the New Lane side this season and needs just one run to break the club's batting record.
According to the statistics, Saeed is level with Peter Gardner on 1006 league runs.
And one run will mean he breaks the 1996 record and will write his name into the Immanuel history books.
"He has done really well," said captain Gerard Metcalf. "He is a well organised pro who is easy to look after and is no trouble whatsoever. He is a good batsman, is popular with the players and we hope to have him signed up for next season this week."
Altogether the pro has 1033 runs this season, taken 39 wickets and 11 catches.
And he has three tons in his collection with a 119 not out against Cherry Tree in a game Immanuel still lost.
"It has been so frustrating as we have played better than we did last season but have lost close games," said the skipper.
"We have just been unlucky. We got 230 against Cherry Tree and lost and got 260 against Blackburn Northern in what was the league's record high scoring game and also lost that.
"Then we almost beat leaders Clitheroe the other week and if a few decisions had gone our way we could have beaten them and that would have been a scalp.
"There are six games left and we want to move away from Barnoldswick at the bottom and hopefully get ahead of Edenfield so there is still plenty to play for."
Metcalf has been pleased with the group of the youngsters in his team but one has stood out for him this season.
"Oliver Clare is only 17 and has got over 400 runs which is a decent return for him. He has done well and we are pleased that he is developing into a good Ribblesdale League opening batsman."
Immanuel, who have just two league wins this season, missed out again on Saturday, losing to Read.
Saeed was again the star with 90 and Clare made 34 but the rest fell cheaply in their 159 all out.
The paid-man then turned on the style with the ball taking 4-68 but Read won with five wickets to spare.
Immanuel are at home to Cherry Tree tomorrow (Sat).
Although Clitheroe are running away with the title, a runners-up spot is still possible for Baxenden.
And their paid man Jonathan Fielding made it 58 wickets for the season with 5-63 in their win over Earby.
Opener Callum Waddington led the reply with 59 not out as Baxenden recorded a nine wicket win to stay in fourth place - and lie just two points behind second placed Settle.
Baxenden travel to bottom club Barnoldswick tomorrow.
Great Harwood also bounced back from their Ramsbottom Cup disappointment with a win over Blackburn Northern.
Northern were bowled out for 135 and then Russell Whalley cartainly got into gear, smashing 96 in 54 balls with 10 fours and seven sixes as Harwood won by seven wickets.
This moved them to seventh place in the league - and they will be aiming to put a dent in Padiham's faint title hopes by overcoming them tomorrow.
