SKIPPER Callum Clarke is backing overseas amateur Darryl Losper to start scoring big after the South African finally showed his true batting colours as Padiham enjoyed their finest weekend of the season.

And now Clarke is hoping the South African can inspire a surge up Section B of the Ribblesdale League as the season really warms up.

Losper played match-winning knocks as Padiham beat Edenfield in the league and stunned Clitheroe to reach the last four of the Ramsbottom Cup and Clarke is hoping for more of the same when he takes his side to Brooksbottom tomorrow.

“I was delighted for Darryl last weekend,” he said. “He is a great bloke and fitting in with everyone really well but he hadn’t really hit form with the bat.

“He is a good player, we have seen that within the club but he showed that last weekend and hopefully we can go on now.”

Brooksbottom, who have also reached the last four of the Ramsbottom Cup, have yet to register in the league this season and Clarke sees the trip to The Brox as an ideal opportunity for Padiham to kick on.

“With the split in the league this year it’s been hard to tell where clubs are at,” he said. “We haven’t played many teams from our own section while some of the others towards the top have played quite a number from Section B.

“That’s why the win over Edenfield was important for us, it was the chance to play another Section B side and it was good to get the win.

“Obviously Brooksbottom have not won yet and we probably go there as favourites – but we certainly won’t get carried away. We know we will have to play as well as we did last weekend.”

That game at The Brox looks intriguing, while at the other end of the spectrum, runaway leaders Clitheroe welcome Euxton to Chatburn Road as they bid to stay clear of the chasing pack.

Whalley are hot on Clitheroe’s heels and their trip to Salesbury is another eye catching game, while Baxenden host Settle.

Great Harwood are in third place and they travel to Victory Park to face an unpredictable Barnoldswick, while misfiring Read have slipped in the bottom half of Section A and are in need of a boost when Section B leaders Earby arrive at Whalley Road.

Ribblesdale Wanderers are at Brinscall while Edenfield welcome Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to Gincroft Lane.

There is plenty of Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors Twenty20 action tonight with the eye-catching game coming at Chatburn Road.

Clitheroe host their cross-town rivals Ribblesdale Wanderers in what is always a good game with bragging rights very much at stake.

Whalley face the trip into the Yorkshire Dales for their game at Settle, while Great Harwood host Padiham in another good tie.

Read welcome Salesbury to Whalley Road, Euxton entertain Brinscall and Cherry Tree make the short trip to Feniscowles.