CAPTAIN'S LOG with Cherry Tree skipper David Hayes

WE'VE reached the halfway stage in the Ribblesdale League, which is normally the ideal time to predict who will be in the shake-up at the end of the season.

The title now looks like it will be contested between five teams namely, Padiham, Ribblesdale Wanderers, Read, Clitheroe and ourselves.

Our first half could not have been better, seeing us in pole position and in the semi-final of the Cup. This has exceeded our expectations with the loss of John Hughes this season to Didsbury, and Roger Davies taking a break from cricket.

Gary Bolton however (like the good red wine, which he is rather partial to) seems to get better with age.

We have been ably supported by Nigel "Jigger" Robbins and Charlie "granddad" Hopwood. Charlie's double bouncing leg spinners completely mesmerised Baxenden on Saturday when he returned figures of 3-5.

"Hippety Hoppety" Hopwood appears to have been given a new lease of life this year from first team cricket. However he did take me a little by surprise on Saturday when I asked him how many playing years he has left in him, and he replied "10 at least" which takes him into bus pass territory.

We now hit a difficult period in the season, with "Digger" on holiday for two weeks, followed by GB for three weeks. They miss eight games between them, which will stretch our already depleted bowling resources to the limit. Let's just hope the captain doesn't have to turn his arm over.

It has made me wonder whether a two-week break at the end of July might be an idea, and for us then to play an extra two weeks in September. This would enable the players (or more likely their wives) to book a holiday in or around that period and therefore not miss too many games, more importantly it would give "old knackers" like myself a chance to rest. It was nice to see Mark Rishton of Baxenden back on a cricket field on Saturday having incurred the wrath of the Ribblesdale League disciplinary committee last season. I asked "Rishy" if he felt he has been treated fairly following his long ban. He felt he had, but hoped the league would be consistent when dealing with other more well known players. We shall see!

Sunday's Ribble Valley monsoon meant an early cancellation of our semi-final with Clitheroe, and the rarity of a day spent with the family. The Hayes and the Boltons took themselves off for an afternoon of ten pin bowling, with honours even at the end. However, I can say that Bolts can deliver a bowling ball to the other end a lot quicker than he can a cricket ball.

Another rarity for us last Saturday at Whalley with three sets of brothers lining up. This may not seem strange in itself, but two sets were on opposing sides. Paul Reed and Daryl Redhead for ourselves and Kevin Reed and David Redhead for Whalley. Also the Grace brothers for Whalley or "The Proclaimers" as they are better known.

It wasn't a good day for the Redhead sisters. David was caught behind for not many, off a thick edge to the very honest Dr Butler behind the stumps, and Daryl was palpably bowled for four.

Finally congratulations to our pro Naeem and girlfriend Nasra who tied the knot last week. Hopeful rumours abound at Cherry Tree of an English passport and amateur status in the future. That would certainly solve our bowling shortages.