CLITHEROE skipper Paul Gaskell is hoping his men can play catch up with the other leading lights of the Houldsworth Solicitor’s Ribblesdale League after they were left kicking their heels by last weekend’s abandonment at Great Harwood.

The clash was the only one to fall victim to the weather as Harwood’s attempted return to the Cliffe was delayed yet again by the rain last Friday.

But rather than feeling bitter about the whole situation, Gaskell is keen to keep his focus on the future – and this weekend’s big double header with Read today and at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel tomorrow.

And he is hoping for a better show against today’s opponents than last time they met last month when Clitheroe fell victim to a brilliant innings from Read professional Jordan Clark.

Clark hit a stunning 144 not out as Read piled on the runs before Clitheroe were 111 all out – and Gaskell admitted: “We didn’t play well last time against them.

“Clark is a top player and they are a very good side – but we didn’t perform like we can and that was the most frustrating thing and we want to show our true colours, especially after last week.

“I want to draw a line under that because there is little can be done. I feel a great deal of sympathy towards Harwood and I hope we can kick on now.”

Read head to Barnoldswick tomorrow minus Lancashire man Oliver Newby and veteran all-rounder Jon Harvey and those absences may just give Matt Nutter’s full strength men the advantage at Victory Park, while new Cherry Tree skipper Mark Hadfield leads his men for the second time as they head up to Back Lane for their clash with Baxenden.

Whalley and Settle meet at Station Road in a game that offers much as two classy professional lock horns.

Wilkin Mota looks the real deal for Richard Palmer’s Whalley, while former Colne paid man Mansoor Amjad is impressing for John Seedle’s Dalesmen, who have enjoyed a tremendous start to the campaign.

Ribblesdale Wanderers host Great Harwood at Church Meadow and Padiham make the trip to Ribchester Road, while veteran seamer Stephen Hipgrave makes a rare appearance for Earby as they travel to Gincroft Lane for their game with Edenfield.