'IT'S more hot and spicy than a vindaloo' is how Ian Clarkson summed up tomorrow's Jennings Ribblesdale League top game when his title chasers Earby make the trip to league leaders Barnoldswick.

It's a local derby, both sides are in the chase for the championship with Barlick having a nine point gap over third placed Earby and it is also the clash of two in-form sides.

Both enjoyed double header victories last weekend which has made it an extremely interesting match at Victory Park.

Barlick are in the driving seat but they know they have only themselves to blame if they blow it whereas Earby are just aiming to keep the pressure on and see what happens.

"It is building up to quite a finale," laughed the skipper, whose side beat Settle and Blackburn Northern at the weekend.

"We have been in the top four all season and if we finish in the top four it will be a tremendous season.

"We have won three on the bounce now and so we are meeting Barnoldswick at the right time.

"It was a big weekend for us last weekend and we were delighted to pick up 12 points. It keeps us in there.

"There are seven games to go and we have got ourselves into a good position."

Whereas Earby are something of a surprise package this season - they last won the title in 1996 and finished mid-table last season - the skipper thinks not.

"We have a cracking amateur side, probably the best in the league on paper.

"But on paper doesn't count for anything and in the last few seasons we have not performed.

"But this season everything has come together.

"We bat down to number ten, and we have quality bowlers.

"The experienced and the young players have been getting the runs and Trevor Kegg has been fantastic with the bat and bowl in the last few games.

"He was batting at ten and he was getting 38 no and 20 no out so we moved him up the order and he keeps doing it, getting 30-odd not out last week. It is a nice headache to have at the moment."

They know the main dangerman for Barlick is their pro Clinton Peake who has starred with the bat this season

"They have a great professional and we need to get him out," admitted Clarkson.

"He has won so many matches for them but they do have some good amateurs.

"If I was younger I would say we will stuff them and will beat them easily but I am too long in the tooth for that. I am realistic.

"But we have lads here who have been there and got the T-shirt, they have the experience of big games and we are in form.

"But it does also depend on the wicket at Barnoldswick. It is not said to be the best and that will work to their advantage as they will be used to it.

"But it depends on the toss and the weather. We'll just see what happens."

If they do topple Barlick, then they have the tiny matter of second placed Cherry Tree - six points adrift of the top at the moment - at Applegarth the week after.

"The league title is open and that is what makes it interesting. If the rain falls and we get two points each on Saturday and Cherry Tree play and win then it is in their hands.

"It will go down to the wire. It is in Barnoldswick's hands at the moment but if we win these two games, it is then in ours."

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