BLACKBURN Northern will be hoping history has a knack of repeating itself as they look to climb out of the doldrums after a disastrous start to the season.

For it was two years ago that the Pleckgate Road side lost their first seven games of the season only to pipped for the Ribblesdale League title on the final day.

Skipper Mel Gillibrand is hoping for a repeat performance. He said: "We know we have had a poor start to the season but we often talk about our start two years ago to give us the boost we need."

Northern lost a string of key players during the winter but believe poor performances have cost points. They face Great Harwood on Saturday.

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

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