WILY slow left-armer Malcolm Heyworth could be a key figure in tomorrow's Vaux Ramsbottom Cup final at Clitheroe, when the double hopes of both Read and Barnoldswick will be on the line.

While the spotlight has tended to fall on the duel between two of the Ribblesdale League's best professionals, Shahid Nawaz and James Peterson, the destination of the trophy could yet lie in the hands of someone like Read's experienced campaigner Heyworth.

Barnoldswick will certainly be aware of his threat after Heyworth had them in a spin in last Sunday's dress rehearsal.

He took six for 49 to wreck the cream of the Barnoldswick batting but believes they will be ready for him in the final, when over restrictions also make a difference.

"I am sure that if I bowl at the right time, they will still be wary of me," said Heyworth, who joined Read from Padiham during the winter.

"But I think they will have a plan against me. They'll have a plan for everybody, as we will.

"Yes, I took a lot of wickets last Sunday but I also bowled a lot of overs and it's a different game in the cup.

"Perhaps I 'old-headed' them last week. It's all about runs and making sure you don't concede as many as them."

Heyworth, however, plays down his own role in what promises to be an intense struggle. He is encouraged by the fact that Nawaz is overdue a big score. "Batting-wise, our pro has had a poor run," he said.

"But good players don't suddenly become bad ones and he's real class. Even the top professionals acknowledge that he should be in the Test squad.

"In the last round against Earby, he got 110 as we chased a 250 score.

"And last weekend's win over Barnoldswick has given us a lot of confidence - because it was a team performance.

"We have been relying on the professional but now we have belief in ourselves and know that we don't solely have to look to him to pull us through.

"But I am sure it will be very close, they are a good team and Peterson is a very good professional."

Barnoldswick, however, are sure to pay special attention to Nawaz.

"They definitely have a very good professional in Shahid Nawaz," said Peterson.

"We got him out for nothing last Sunday but he bounced back with four wickets himself.

"And he took quite a decent catch to get me out.

"The thing about him is that he never gives up. Read have a great side and we know we will have to play very well to beat them."

Peterson, however, believes his team can do just that.

It could hardly be a closer game to call.

It's 13 years since Read last won the Ramsbottom Cup but chairman Wilf Woodhouse laughed: "Don't worry I'm not superstitious!

"In any case, I wasn't around then. I'm just delighted with the progress we have made at the club in the last couple of years.

"We have gone from being strugglers to a very strong team, full of experienced league cricketers and challenging for honours."

Barnoldswick's last success was in 1985.

That was the end of a spell from 1982-85 when they lifted the cup four times in five seasons - Read intervened with their 1983 victory.

Ramsbottom Cup rules make the knockout very different from the normal league game.

Bowlers are restricted to a maximum of 10 overs each, from the 48 per side to be bowled.

So professionals cannot bowl straight through from one end as they often do in other leagues.

That means clubs have to look at fielding a better-balanced side with at least five men who can bowl.

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