TITLE-winning skipper Andy Caunce insists his Baxenden side fear no-one as they kick-off the defence of their crown – and the wicketkeeper reckons the pressure is on the pretenders to their crown.

The former East Lancashire and Ramsbottom star leads his side into the opening game of the 2012 season tomorrow as they welcome Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to Back Lane and he says Bash can’t wait.

“Of course we are looking forward to the start,” said Caunce. “We have lost Lewis McIntosh to Haslingden and that’s a blow but we have a good and settled squad.

“We know what we have here and what we can do and we all have our jobs. It’s a good set of lads as we proved last year and we are excited about this season as well.”

Caunce won’t get too carried away ahead of the start but admits defending the title is something in the minds of everyone at the club.

“I wouldn’t say there is any extra pressure on us being champions,” he said. “We want to go out and try and win it again and it’s up to the others to try and chase us.”

Bash have signed former Whalley professional Kamran Younas but he won’t be here in time for the opener so former Baxenden professional Babar Naeem returns to the club on a temporary basis.

“Kamran is a top pro,” added Caunce. “He is a good signing for us and Bobby is a great replacement in the short term. He doesn’t start for a couple of weeks and we are glad to have him.”

Clitheroe are expected to be in the mix as the season goes on and have recruited a whole host of players.

Former captain Peter Dibb and star batsman Jack Dewhurst are back at Chatburn Road and Clitheroe have also brought in former Nelson skipper Tom Lord and ex-Seedhill star Stuart Lemon.

“We are looking towards having a good season and we certainly have some exciting players here,” said new captain Paul Gaskell.

They travel to Ribchester Road for their opener against Salesbury, who are aiming to avoid a third straight wooden spoon.

Read begin their campaign against Great Harwood with the game being played at Rishton’s Blackburn Road to give The Cliffe extra time to recover from winter improvement works, while Padiham and Barnoldswick clash in a tasty game at The Arbories.

That game offers an early test of both sides, while Cherry Tree’s home game with Earby is also one that catches the eye.

Big things are expected from new Cherry professional Liam Jackson, who has joined the paid ranks from Lancashire League outfit Enfield.

Whalley go to Ribblesdale Wanderers in another game that is too close to call on the opening day, while Settle head to Edenfield.

John Seedle is without several players for their longest trip thanks to a combination of rugby union duties and a stag weekend. But they have borrowed Accrington paid man Ashar Zaidi for the Gincroft Lane clash as their own pro Mansoor Amjad has not arrived.