LEADERS Barnoldswick enter into Victory Park battle with wobbling Baxenden tomorrow ready to try and blow their title rivals away in the league’s match of the day.

Bash have lost three league games on the bounce and were also deposited out of the Ramsbottom Cup at the semi-final stage last Sunday – but that is in marked contrast to Barlick, who have slipped through the gears sweetly to move to the summit.

No chickens are being counted at Victory Park, though, as Richard Nichols is wary of the threat posed by the chasing pack.

That pack is headed by pre-season title favourites Read, who are bang in form and in second just eight points adrift of the leaders.

Warren Eastham’s men go to Whalley tomorrow and know they will face a battle at Station Road against Richard Palmer’s men.

Whalley had been on a fine run until last weekend’s loss at Padiham and will be eager to bounce back – and aim for revenge on Read for their loss earlier in the season in a game they could have won.

Clitheroe are much improved and face a home tie with Great Harwood in what should be a good game, while Edenfield ended their wretched run of nine defeats on the spin last weekend and entertain Cherry Tree.

Rock-bottom Settle are on the road to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, while Salesbury make the trip to The Applegarth for their game at Earby. Pro Susantha Pradeep made his return from injury in style as he crashed a club record 162 not out against Edenfield.

That game ended in defeat and Pradeep will look for more runs and a win as he tries to lift his men out of the bottom three.

Ramsbottom Cup finalists Ribblesdale Wanderers host Padiham in the day’s other game.

Fixtures

Barnoldswick v Baxenden, Clitheroe v Great Harwood, Earby v Salesbury, Edenfield v Cherry Tree, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Settle, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Padiham, Whalley v Read.