I WATCHED Baxenden continue their apparently unstoppable march towards the Ribblesdale League title on Saturday. Great side.

Seeing them demolish a better-than-the-scoreline-suggests Earby led me to start thinking. I know that’s a rare move, and the brain cells don’t often get a work-out, but I think this idea could be a goer.

Why don’t the champions of the Ribblesdale League face the champions of the Lancashire League in a full-on challenge match each year?

Arguments still persist about which league is the best; they have done for years and are likely to do so for decades to come. The inter-league cup games don’t count as the sides treat those games as welcome as a wasp in the jock strap.

So a straight slug-fest between the two champions with serious honours at stake would be a cracker.

I know there is a time logisti and I know that it would be difficult to get the professionals to play.

But wouldn’t it be fun?

And for what it’s worth, I think Baxenden could well come out on top if the game was to be played this season.

They have quality throughout their side and it is easy to see why they have won all their games. And while it would seem nigh-on impossible to go through an entire season unbeaten, I wouldn’t be investing too much on anyone beating them just yet.

So there you go; that’s the hex on Bash.

My curse is still working on most professionals. Babar Naeem and Ali Azmat both failed on Saturday, just as Church paid man Luke Woodcock did seven days previously.

Common sense dictates that it cannot be anything to do with me – but you do start to wonder!

If Cherry Tree’s Darren Broom and Blackburn Northern’s Naeem Ashraf dip out this weekend, then I will start to become paranoid.

Or, as was mentioned when I arrived at Lowerhouse the other week, ‘Taxi for Donlan!’ * MUCH has been said and written about England’s time-wasting tactics as they ground out a draw with the Aussies on Sunday afternoon.

It probably wasn’t right – but hey ho.

But I also believe it showed an insight into why England are a bit rubbish. As well as the 12th man going on the pitch, a chap described as the team fitness coach/physio was also seen out in the middle.

He was, shall we say, of sturdy build. Do fitness sessions consist of a few pies, 20 Lamberts and a gallon of Thwaites?

Now that’s cricket.