GREAT Harwood haven't won the Jennings Ribblesdale League for 100 years but are bidding to make up for lost time with a second title tilt in two years.

Last summer they missed out on the final day but have bounced back from that disappointment to go into the final month of the season in second place, eight points behind leaders Ribblesdale Wanderers.

While the rest of the chasing pack have faltered Gordon Simpson's men have put together a run of seven straight wins, including crucial victories over Padiham and Cherry Tree.

And while Wanderers were being frustrated by the weather on Saturday, Harwood were breezing to a five-wicket win over Settle thanks to an excellent performance from all-rounder Paul Holdsworth, who took seven wickets and hit a half-century.

"We have been plugging away quietly. We did the same last year after being a long way behind at one stage," said Simpson.

"We always felt we could catch the leaders as long as we won our games and we have managed to do that.

"And we have managed to get the extra two points in most of the games, including the big ones against Padiham and Cherry Tree.

"If we keep getting seven we are going to go close." The skipper admitted that beating their top of the table rivals had been crucial results, while Harwood also look to have cured their problem of letting costly points go again the lesser lights.

"That's where we've let ourselves down in the past. Earlier on in the season we lost to Whalley and Edenfield. No disrespect to them but they are lower sides," Simpson added.

"I always think that to beat the likes of Padiham and Cherry Tree gives everybody confidence and you start to believe that you will be up there.

"If you win games like that it gives everyone a boost and I can't speak highly enough of the pro. He didn't get any on Saturday but in the last few games he has been phenomenal.

"He scored 400 runs and been out only once."

Mark Harvey's unbeaten 61 was pivotal to the win over Cherry Tree and results like that are a good omen, according to Simpson.

"I think things are going for us at the moment," he said. "When you are 15-5 against Cherry Tree and win and then manage to get a game in against Settle, albeit we bowled them out and gave ourselves time to get the runs, and then find out that the leaders have missed out you think things are going your way.

"But we can't rely on that, we still have to play well."

Harwood face a testing game at home to Clitheroe on Saturday and then after visiting Whalley have a potential title decider at Ribblesdale Wanderers at the end of the month.

"It's only a big game if we win the two before that," added Simpson, with a note of caution.

"I don't want to say too much. With five games to go we've got to win every game. There's still a lot to be done but it's almost in our own hands now."