BAXENDEN surrendered their Jennings Ribblesdale League game at Cherry Tree after claiming the pitch was too dangerous to continue.

Cherry Tree batsman Nigel Robbins fractured a cheekbone and his eye socket after one ball reared up into his face as he attempted to hook in the game's first innings.

Baxenden reached 41without loss in reply before declaring on 77-7, 112 runs short of their target but with professional Ronnie Davies still at the crease.

Cherry Tree were awarded the bonus points to retain a slender lead at the top of the league.

Skipper Peter Usher said: "I thought the wicket had got progressively worse.

"We had a 16-year-old lad and a third team player remaining and I didn't want them to get injured.

"I didn't mind good batsmen playing on it but you don't want young lads getting injured. We don't want to report the pitch but I think the league will want to know why we came off."

The umpires report said: "Whilst the pitch did not play consistently and a few balls came up off a length, the fact that Cherry Tree scored 188-5 speaks for itself. "There was no deterioration in the pitch for the second innings."

The Preston Old Road surface has already been reported to the league by Padiham this season and, in recent weeks, the track has often been unpredictable.

However, earlier in the season, a league record number of runs were scored in the game against Settle.

But skipper David Hayes said: "The pitch wasn't good but you could bat on it.

"It is not for the lack of hard work from our two groundsmen, who probably put more time and effort than any other groundsman in the league.

"We have the hardest square in the league but it has been raining at the end of the week and it rained overnight on Saturday.

"So there is a soft layer on top and it is hard underneath which is why it is bouncing as it is.

"The club are obviously concerned and it is not the sort of wicket we would want to prepare and I am sure we will be looking for solutions."

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