DETERMINED Ian Britcliffe wants to make it third time lucky tomorrow as he leads his Ribblesdale Wanderers side into Ramsbottom Cup final battle with Read – and believes they could spring a surprise in the Ribblesdale League’s showpiece.

Britcliffe says that everyone around Church Meadow is relishing the big game at Padiham’s Arbories but he knows all too well the feeling that comes with defeat in the final.

And it is something he doesn’t want to experience again.

“I have played in two finals,” he said. “We were bowled out for 80-odd in one and 70-odd in the other – and when that happens it really isn’t a game.

“We accept that we are underdogs but I don’t want that again and obviously I hope we get a better result than in the previous two.”

Wanderers have only won the trophy once in its modern guise back in 1999, while Read have picked up the silverware six times in total with their last two wins coming in 2000 and 2003.

But Britcliffe knows that anything can happen on the day in the big game – and is looking to take inspiration from Colne, who stunned Lancashire League big hitters Ramsbottom last year to lift the Worsley Cup.

“I know that we are the underdogs for the game,” he said. “But you never know what is going to happen in a final.

“Our professional Mohammed Wajihuddin is friends with Anwar Ali who did the damage for Colne last year – and he has been telling everyone that you can win games, that anything can happen.

“Read are an excellent side and are probably a lot stronger in depth than most teams in the league and while I am not making too much of it, I have three regulars missing.

“But on a good track at Padiham, which is a small ground, you have a leveller and it will be a good game.

“Ever since we got through to the final by beating Whalley, the final has been the talk of the club, the only thing that people have been thinking about. Everybody is excited about it and everyone is looking forward to it.

“We are just hoping the sun shines and there is a big crowd. Padiham have put a lot of work in to host the game and hopefully it will be one to remember.

“You play cricket for days like this.”

While Wanderers go into the final depleted, Read are at full strength for the showdown woth Joe Marshall, Andrew Rushton and Connor Lowes all included.