BAXENDEN Cricket Club first team reached an all-time low despite the club almost doubling profits.

A report by secretary David Clegg said the poor performance in the Ribblesdale League was no suprprise.

He said: "Some of the matches were played in the most appalling conditions but most were completed.

"Preparation work to make games go ahead went above and beyond the call of duty though comments from Padiham's first XI are still ringing in my ear, especially when our efforts to play probably ensured they won the league.

"We had hoped an influx of new players would have propelled us up the league but only a very poor Blackburn Northern side kept us off the bottom."

The club will have a new professional in Ronnie Davis next season and have appointed a new youth co-ordinator.

Income from bar sales was up nearly £4,000 to £30,750 compared with figures of £26,800 in 1997, while profits from social and promotional activities rose by nearly 50 per cent, from £1700 in 1997 to £2,500. Overall profit rose from £2290 to £4500 in 1998.

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