1:10pm Wednesday 16th September 2009
By Matt Donlan
THE favourites stepped up to the mark – but the Ribblesdale League season didn’t develop into entirely the one-horse race that everyone believed it would have done mid-term.
A supreme Baxenden side, led by the outstanding Ian Austin, did win the title and the Ramsbottom Cup.
They were the best team and they deserved their glory.
But they did have a slight stutter towards the end of the season – and Read and Great Harwood did keep things alive before the inevitable happened and Oscar got his hands on the silverware. In fact, runners up Harwood and third placed Read went closer than many thought.
Read were hampered by inconsistent displays while Harwood looked good after a shaky start. Russ Whalley’s men went into the campaign as reigning champions and when they got into the flow, it appeared they could catch Bash. For them, perhaps, the killer to their ambitions was the weather with five games abandoned.
But at least they trousered the 20/20 Cup thanks to a win at Back Lane that stopped Baxenden claiming a treble.
Ribblesdale Wanderers signed Jake Brown – and he hit a record score of 237 not out against Blackburn Northern - even though he had a cold.
Earby brought many smiles to faces as they turned their fortunes around from second bottom in 2008 to a Lancashire Cup spot. Great campaigner Stephen Hipgrave leads his team brilliantly and is still taking wickets and will enjoy the challenge of next season.
Cherry Tree flattered to deceive. Brilliant on their day, Jon Baldwin’s outfit suffered through injury and that cost them a better finish.
Oswaldtwistle had their best season for years, while Padiham, Edenfield Whalley and Barnoldswick also shone at times in mixed campaigns.
Clitheroe’s bright spot was reaching the Ramsbottom Cup final but their bottom two finish was a shock, while Blackburn Northern’s season will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Their walk-off at Baxenden was unprecedented and left a sour taste.
They have escaped further action from the league committee when strict action was needed.
And poor old Salesbury must now wonder what they have to do in order to take their place in the top flight.
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