Jonathan Fielding says the title is now Baxenden's to lose.

The Back Lane side opened up a 14 point gap at the top of the Ribblesdale League table after a double win weekend where most of their title rivals suffered.

And Fielding can only see his side improving in the final nine games of the season as they look to clinch their first title since 1993.

They saw off one-time pacesetters Padiham easily on Saturday before a seven wicket win over defending champions Clitheroe on Sunday.

"We are going for it - I always thought the table would be very tight, and it still might be, but we have got a bit of a cushion now and we have got to try and increase it," said the paid man.

"We all seem to be clicking into gear at the same time.

"Most of the team is hitting form at the moment and, with nine games left, someone will have to play well to beat us.

"I did always believe we would be there or thereabouts this season as we have a lot of good players. It isn't over yet - but it is for us to lose now."

Padiham was a big game for Bash as they looked to keep them at arm's length.

They expected a tough one - but in the end ran out ten wicket winners.

"We just went into the game in the right frame of mind," said the pro who took eight wickets over the weekend. "We knew Padiham had lost their last three games and we bowled well and fielded quite aggressively.

"We did in both games and it is a massive confidence boost for us all. Read, Blackburn Northern and Padiham all lost one game so it gives us a nice cushion. We know we can win the title if we keep playing like we are at the moment."

Fielding has a wealth of experience behind him having won league titles at Clitheroe and in the Bolton League with Walshaw.

And he is hoping the players in the Bash camp can hold their nerve as the finishing line gets closer.

"There might be some twitching," admitted Fielding who has taken 68 wickets this season to lead the league's wicket taking chart.

"But saying that, me and the wicket keeper Andrew Caunce both have won a few championships with our previous clubs and there are guys with experience like David Parkinson, Mark Rishton and Simon Payne in the side. I can't see nerves being too much of a problem."

It hasn't all been plain sailing for Baxenden and they did stutter earlier in the campaign.

"We did have a bit of a hiccup half way through but we came back well against Edenfield and Oswaldtwistle and we took it into last weekend's games.

"And we just carried it on and this has given us even more confidence."

Baxenden are still on course for a league and cup double as their three times postponed quarter-final against Barnoldswick should take place on Sunday.

But before that it is Cherry Tree and they know they need to win to make sure they stay in charge of their own destiny.

"We need to get rid of their professional (Zahoor Elahi) quickly. It is a tough away game," added Fielding.

Great Harwood had a mixed weekend as they look to keep in the hunt for the title - which would be their first since 1900.

They had a comfortable win over bottom club Barnoldswick thanks to 113 from paid man Jermaine Lawson and a half-ton from Peter Sleep. West Indian Lawson then took five wickets.

On Sunday, they lost out to fellow title chasers Padiham. Lawson again top scored with 38 and took three wickets but they fell 26 runs short in the chase.

Harwood hope to finally get their Ramsbottom Cup quarter-final clash at Blackburn Northern on on Sunday after facing Clitheroe on Saturday.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel enjoyed their third win of the season on Sunday thanks to captain Gerard Metcalf.

He took his best figures for the season of 6-29 as Immanuel won by seven wickets.

The day before, Immanuel's batsmen couldn't get going as they slipped to a seven wicket loss to Earby.

They welcome title challengers Blackburn Northern to New Lane tomorrow.