GREAT Harwood still cannot shake off their 'nearly men' tag as they look set for another top three finish for the fourth consecutive season.

But although the men from Cliffe Park have missed out on championship glory yet again - despite starting as pre-season favourites - skipper Daniel Cheesbrough can see light at the end of the tunnel.

He said: "We have a young enough side here that I can see us challenging for honours for years to come. It has been a strange season but for the past month or so we have been settled and have picked up some very good wins."

Such is the age of the squad that 23-year-old Cheesbrough is regarded something of a veteran. In Saturday's final game of the season at Clitheroe their oldest player will be 26.

Having seen his inspirational professional Chris Killen sacked from the club for drinking on duty, Cheesbrough admitted that it could be time for him to step down as skipper.

He added: "It hasn't affected my performance but with the added pressures on and off the pitch I don't feel like I am enjoying my Cricket as much. Once the season is over I will sit down and seriously consider whether to stay on as captain or not."

Win or lose on Saturday Great Harwood have been guaranteed a place in next season's prestigious Lancashire Cricket Association Knockout competition. But Cheesbrough said he would like to sign off on a winning note and hold on to that number three place.

FIXTURES Saturday: Clitheroe v Gt Harwood, Earby v Blackburn N, Edenfield v Barnoldswick, Ribblesdale W v Padiham, Read v Baxenden, Osw Immanuel v Settle, Whalley v Cherry Tree.

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