OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel skipper Jack Harrison knows a strong performance in this weekend’s Ribblesdale League double header could leave his side with one hand on their maiden league title.

Ossie are eight points clear at the summit ahead of tomorrow’s top of the table home game with nearest rivals Settle.

Victory over the side currently in second spot would extend the advantage and should Ossie follow it up on Sunday with a victory at home to Cherry Tree, it could potentially be a defining 48 hours of the season.

Harrison’s men have enjoyed something of a dream league campaign and even defeat to Whalley last weekend didn’t cost them as Settle fell to a surprise loss at Baxenden.

And, with seven games remaining, the captain is relishing the run-in.

“They don’t come much bigger than Saturday,” said Harrison.

“If we get maximum points from our two games this weekend then it means we will be clear at the top and it is probably ours to lose.

“But we know Settle are a very good side and so are Cherry Tree.

“Settle have had a few defeats recently but they have 11 excellent cricketers who all contribute in some way, it is not a case of getting a couple of key wickets.

“In the last few weeks they have been all or nothing with the bat, they were bowled out for 50 odd last week but scored more than 300 against Padiham so we know they are a dangerous side.

“We are looking forward to the game. We have three double-headers in a row now which is not ideal but it is the same for everyone and all the lads are keen to play at the moment.”

Ossie will be full strength for both games, with Harrison wary of the threat Section B side Cherry Tree pose on Sunday,

“They have some good players,” he added. “They have had a few bad results in the last few weeks but we are expecting a tough game and it will be maximum concentration from us.”

Few would have earmarked Ossie as potential title contenders when the season got underway, Harrison himself included.

“If you had offered me this in November I would have taken it,” said the skipper who is in his first year in the role.

“I thought we could challenge and I knew we had a good side but I didn’t expect us to be in this position with a few weeks to go.

“Our pro (Shubham Khajuria) has made a big difference, he has been excellent with bat and ball and when he hasn’t fired we have had amateur players who have stepped up and we are playing really well as a team.

“We have never won the league before and it would be great to do it.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Section B leaders Salesbury entertain Cherry Tree while Brinscall, in second, travel to Read.

Baxenden host Padiham in a crucial game at the bottom of Section A while Whalley visit Barnoldswick.

The bottom two in Section B meet at Feniscowles with Earby the visitors while Euxton welcome Ribblesdale Wanderers in the day’s other game.

On Sunday, Settle host Feniscowles while Earby are at Baxenden. Ribblesdale Wanderers make the journey to Barnoldswick while Brinscall are on the road at Padiham.

The day’s other fixtures see Read entertain Euxton and Whalley host Salesbury.

The weekend games start at 1.30pm.