EVEN if Paul Houldsworth leads Great Harwood to the prestigious league and cup double, he'll still relinquish the captaincy at the end of this season.

His side were due to face Jennings Ribblesdale League title rivals Earby today before a Ramsbottom Cup semi-final clash with Ribblesdale Wanderers tomorrow in a game postponed from last Sunday.

"If we win both I will go out on top but I still don't want to carry on being captain next year. I just want to play," said Houldsworth, who took over the captaincy this year but dislikes the responsibility of the job.

He does have more pressing concerns this weekend as his wife is due to give birth to their first child any time now and he is a doubt for both the weekend games.

"That's more important now.

"I don't want to miss the games but it could happen," said the skipper.

It won't be the first time he has missed a crucial clash -- but knows he can trust his side to go on and win without him.

In 1995, Houldworth played in all the games which helped Great Harwood to the final of the competition -- but then went on holiday!

"I missed the final but we won and I still picked up a winners' medal," he said.

That was the last time they won the competition although Houldsworth does have previous experience of clinching the trophy.

In 1990, Great Harwood were once again the Ramsbottom Cup victors and he won the man of the match. "I took 5-35 in that game and won a bottle of whisky.

"I hate whisky as I had a very bad experience when I was younger.

"So I gave it to my mum and I think she liked it!"

So now he is on course for a hat-trick of winners' medals provided his side can overcome Ribblesdale Wanderers -- and then either Earby and Barnoldswick who are completing their semi-final tomorrow.

Earby were 221-6 while Barnoldswick were 73-3 after 24 overs.

"Ribblesdale Wanderers are the defending league champions so you always want to beat them," said the skipper.

Wanderers have had a disappointing season and are currently fourth from bottom of the league needing a cup win to get something out of the season.

Great Harwood have already got one over on David Howard's side when the two met in a league encounter earlier this season.

Wanderers made just 72 and Great Harwood made sure the game was over by 6pm and had the points in the bag.

"It was one of those games for them, you have them," continued Houldsworth.

"Padiham did it to us last season, they got us out for 60.

"It was just a one-off.

"Ribblesdale may be struggling in the league but Shahid Nawaz is a quality pro who can win for them on his day.

"And the cup is just a one-off game, using five bowlers, so it is unpredictable."

Although Great Harwood do regard the Ramsbottom Cup as a great competition, the league is their number one aim.

They are currently third ahead of today's games, six points behind leaders Read.

"If we lost tomorrow and won the league, we'd take that," said Houldsworth.

"The talk all around the club is the league and that is the priority.

"The key to that is to keep picking up the bonus points. We've dropped four in our last two games even though we've won them. That could be the difference at the end."