BARNOLDSWICK are flying the flag for the Ribblesdale League in this season’s Lancashire Knockout but skipper Johnny Beech acknowledges his side face a tough test to reach the last 16.

Injury-ravaged Barlick travel to Liverpool Competition heavyweights Ormskirk on Sunday.

Their hosts are the joint defending champions after sharing the title with Lowerhouse last season following a rain-affected final.

The Brook Lane side were also runners-up in the ECB National Knockout and lifted the Competition title and the league T20 trophy.

So Beech is well aware of the scale of the task facing his side, who have made a slow start to the campaign and reached the second round when first round opponents In Time conceded.

“We will definitely be going there as underdogs’” he said.

“The Knockout is something that you aim for each season to try and get in it but after the start we have had our focus has to be on the league and avoiding the drop.

“Sunday is a chance to go and play without any pressure and see what happens. Cricket is cricket at the end of the day so anything can happen.”

Ribblesdale League Section A side Barlick have lost four of their opening five matches, all to Section B sides, meaning it has not been a season to remember so far.

A win over Ormskirk would certainly change that but Beech is confident his side can compete in the T20 while they remain in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the Ramsbottom Cup ahead of tomorrow’s game with Earby.

“We have had a few injuries to key players which haven’t helped,” the skipper added.

“At the start of the season we thought we had a squad that can compete but we have Abdul Saddique and Matthew Cavanagh out with knee problems and that hasn’t helped us.

“It would be great to do well in the Knockout and if we win against Earby and other results go our way then we can qualify in the Ramsbottom Cup but our main priority is to stay up in the league and perhaps have a run in the T20.

“We are defending champions in that and I think our side is set up for it, we have a few sloggers!”

Barnoldswick have strengthened their side with the signing of Uzair Khalid from Lancashire League side Colne with the all-rounder, who bowls leg spin, available for all three games this weekend.

The club are also hopeful of adding another new face in the coming days.

The other Ribblesdale League side remaining are Salesbury, who have been reinstated, are on the road at Penrith.

Todmorden, another team given a second chance, host Penwortham while Lowerhouse, joint winners last season, entertain Rochdale.

Burnley face Northern League side Leyland while Ramsbottom also have Northern League opposition in Netherfield.

Darwen are on the road at Elite while Chorley host Eccleston with the winners of that tie playing the winners of the Burnley clash in the next round.

The last-16 ties take place on Sunday, July 1 with the final on September 2.