CRICKET: JONATHAN Fielding admits he has "no complaints" after Blackburn Northern pipped Baxenden to the Ribblesdale League title.
Going into the double header weekend, the two were level on points and there was a huge clash between the title rivals at Back Lane on Saturday.
Bash thought they had Northern on the ropes at 102-8 but Indian pro Devendra Bundela remained defiant at 112 not out and last man Farooq Butt made a vital 24 to take the score onto 181.
Baxenden's middle order did put up some resistance after the top four fell cheaply but they finished 21 runs short.
And it proved decisive as it meant Mark Rishton's side needed to win at Whalley and Northern lose on Sunday - with the final league clash this weekend.
But it went Blackburn's way as a demoralised Baxenden fell 93 runs short chasing 170 against Whalley.
The only plus point was that professional Fielding continued to take wickets - and is now just two off 100 which he hopes to get this weekend in the final match ofthe campaign.
"We all felt down on Monday. It was rubbish really but now we have got to bounce back next season," said Fielding, who is in talks about a new contract.
"Last year we finished third and this year we finished second so we have moved upwards and maybe next year, it will be first place. It is, though, hard to think about at the moment.
"But we can have no complaints really because we have played Blackburn Northern three times this season- and they have beat us every time.
"People talk about the title being lost when our game was rained off and Blackburn played but, in the league, they have beaten us twice and that's where it was lost.
"We know we should have done better against them on Saturday as we had them on around 80-8 and it was disappointing.
"We wanted to bounce back on Sunday but I think we had lost the fight by that stage.
"The only good thing is that I should get two wickets tomorrow and make 100 which is what I wanted. And we will still celebrate tomorrow night no matter what."
The paid man admitted he might have walked away if Bash had won the title but is in talks to carry on for another season.
"If we had won the league, I would probably have gone but now I want to focus on next season and hope we can bounce back.
"We got to a cup final and finished second in the league so it hasn't been a bad year. Hopefully we can go one better next season."
GREAT HARWOOD couldn't do fellow Hyndburn side Baxenden any favours as they lost to Blackburn Northern on Sunday as Northern did the double - winning the title after their Ramsbottom Cup success.
Harwood had beat Ribblesdale Wanderers the day before - with 56 from Paul Houldsworth and 5-66 from Paul Newton - and will be looking for a Lancashire Cup top four finish tomorrow.
And Oswaldtwistle Immanuel have had a strong finish to the season.
The lost to Clitheroe on Saturday - despite 4-54 from captain Gerard Metcalf - but came back against Cherry Tree. Oliver Clare and Ahmed Saeed both made 33 in the narrow one wicket win.
