ANYTHING can happen in the Vaux Ramsbottom Cup and beleagured Baxenden hope that comes true when they travel to defending Ribblesdale League champions Earby on Saturday (May 10).

The Back Lane side - weakened by summer exits and long term injury to skipper David Jackson - are still searching to find their form and their first win of the season.

But chairman Jim Duckworth is hoping that they are playing Earby at the right time as they have also struggled to recapture last season's form that saw them clinch the title in dramatic style.

So far Earby have only won once this season and languish well off the pace set by Clitheroe and Read at the top of the table.

Duckworth, now in his second spell as chairman, said: "Earby are a class act but like us have struggled after losing some key players during the summer. They are bound to come good at some stage but let's just hopes it's after this weekend."

Fixtures Saturday (May 10): Vaux Ramsbottom Cup, 1st rd: Clitheroe v Cherry Tree, Earby v Baxenden, Padiham v Edenfield, Osw Imm v Barnoldswick, Gt Harwood v Read, Ribblesdale W v Blackburn N, Settle v Whalley.

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