CHERRY Tree go into their top-of-the-table clash at Clitheroe on Saturday (July 19) looking to chop down their closest rivals and open a clearing at the peak of the Ribblesdale League.

Just three points separate the sides in the two-horse race for the championship - but a convincing win for Cherry Tree could see them 10 points clear.

But win, lose or draw, skipper David Hayes knows there is still a long way to go to determine who the new champions will be - and has drummed that into his all-conquering squad.

He said: "This is a very important game for both sides and a great incentive for us to win. But we have not made any special preparations for the game and will approach it like we do any other league game."

The two sides have opened up an unassailable lead at the top of the table with nearest rivals Padiham a massive 28 points behind. And with 10 games still to go Hayes admits the race for the title is down to the two sides.

He paid special tribute to professional Naeem Ashraf who raced passed the 500 run mark at the weekend with a blistering unbeaten 129 against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

He said: "He has been instrumental in our run this season, not only for his own form but the inspiration he has given other players."

Cherry Tree will be without three established players for the Clitheroe clash and Sunday's (July 20) trip to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel but Hayes is confident their replacements can live up to the challenge.

Fixtures Saturday (July 19): Barnoldswick v Read, Clitheroe v Cherry Tree, Gt Harwood v Whalley, Osw Immanuel v Baxenden, Padiham v Blackburn N, Ribblesdale W v Earby, Settle v Edenfield.

Sunday (July 20): Baxenden v Padiham, Earby v Edenfield, Gt Harwood v Barnoldswick, Osw Immanuel v Cherry Tree, Read v Clitheroe, Settle v Blackburn N, Whalley v Ribblesdale W.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.