BEWARE Ribblesdale Wanderers - they could have a big say in who picks up the Jennings Ribblesdale League title this season.

The club, currently sixth in the league, have to play leaders Barnoldswick, challengers Cherry Tree and Earby before the end of the season while tomorrow they have a trip to fifth-place Settle.

"We could help to decide who wins it as we have to play four out of the top five," said skipper Terry Braithwaite, whose side are 17 points behind Barnoldswick but have won their last two games.

"Our title hopes might have gone but if we win those four games we will be up there.

"We are looking at a top four place so we can qualify for the Lancashire Cup next year."

It has been a turnaround in fortunes for Wanderers who finished fourth from bottom last time out after being crowned champions in 2000.

They had expected to struggle again this time because they were blooding youngsters but, despite recent losses to Oswaldtwistle and Baxenden which were a blow to their title hopes, the skipper has been impressed by the reaction of his team.

"They have surprised me," he admitted. "At the start of the season we just wanted to improve on last season and the aim was not to finish in the bottom two!

"The fact we are still hanging on the coat tails in sixth place is testament to how well we have done this season.

"David Howard, now he is not captain and therefore hasn't got the pressure, has got a new lease of life with the bat and ball.

"And Ian Britcliffe has moved up from second team captain and has taken something like 30 wickets this season. He has played a huge part.

"The youngsters have come in and done well and everyone is pulling together.

"I think we have used about 10 under 20s this season and giving them the experience should stand them in good stead."

It's Settle next up and Wanderers are keen to finish the season with a flurry.

"I was disappointed at Edenfield last weekend as we wanted to play and thought the wicket was okay but the game never went ahead," said the captain.

"But I am looking forward to Settle as it is always a nice place to go.

"They have perhaps been a bit of a surprise like us but the return of Paul Ridgeway has helped them and their pro has been steady.

"Hopefully they will be distracted by the Ramsbottom Cup the day after and so we can move up a place."

Elsewhere, there is a big clash at third place Earby where second placed Cherry Tree, the only side to get a game in last weekend against Clitheroe, are the visitors.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: Blackburn Northern v Whalley; Clitheroe v Great Harwood; Earby v Cherry Tree; Edenfield v Read; Oswaldtwistle Imm v Baxenden; Padiham v Barnoldswick; Settle v Ribblesdale Wanderers

THE Ramsbottom Cup final between Cherry Tree and Settle will take place on Sunday at Read. Wickets pitched at 1pm.