BIG-hitting Babar Naeem’s breathtaking knock for Baxenden on Saturday not only put his name further into the Ribblesdale League record books but also put Bash into pole position in the early season table.

The 2009 champions have made a perfect start to the season with three maximum point wins from their three games as they look to a new era minus the retired Ian Austin.

That new era has begun so well – and spirits were lifted even higher by the heroics of Naeem, who put helpless Ribblesdale Wanderers to the sword in stunning style on Saturday.

The Pakistani plundered an unbeaten 226 out of a total of 337-6 at Church Meadow with Simon Payne (36), David Mills (29) and skipper Andrew Caunce (23) the only other men in double figures.

“I have never seen a display of hitting like that,” laughed former East Lancashire and Ramsbottom wicketkeeper Caunce.

“He just middled everything and was really unbelievable.”

Naeem’s 133-ball knock has only been beaten by Jake Brown’s 237 for Wanderers in 2009 and Kashif Siddique’s 233 for Padiham, which also came against Wanderers, in 2007.

And in a day of landmarks, Baxenden’s mammoth total has only been bettered twice, both by Padiham, with 381-5 (2010) and 355-8 in 2007, while Church Meadow was also the venue to Brown’s stunning blast on his debut against the now defunct Blackburn Northern.

Naeem, who improved his 181 for Edenfield four years ago, then took 6-13 as Baxenden won by 229 runs.

But despite early season league wins over Oswaldtwistle, Barnoldswick and Wanderers and a Ramsbottom Cup success over Settle, no-one at Back Lane is getting carried away.

“It’s a pleasing start for us,” said Caunce. “We have worked hard over the winter and we are doing okay so far.

“We have a strong amateur side and have strengthened with David Mills and Liam Riley and with myself that is three new faces at the club.

“We won the Ramsbottom Cup last year and that is an aim for us, as is an improvement in the league – and so far things are going okay.”