WHALLEY'S mission to drag themselves off the foot of the Vaux Ribblesdale Cricket League table takes on a new dimension starting tomorrow.

Some would describe it in one word - impossible.

But not Whalley professional Mark Fallon, despite the awesome task facing the club who take on leaders Barnoldswick at Station Road.

That's followed by a visit to Great Harwood and a home game against Read in the next fortnight - both clubs being members of the six-pack chasing the title.

But Fallon remains determined to try to build on Whalley's recent improvement.

The strugglers enjoyed only their third win of the season last Saturday, beating Edenfield, and it was by far their best effort.

"It was great on Saturday, especially with Paul Mackintosh making his ton and John Kearsley getting runs," said Fallon.

"That's the best beating we have given anybody this season.

"In the other games we won, we scraped through but we won that one comfortably.

"We were then very disappointed to lose the following day after being in a good position. "But I would very much like to think we can still get off the bottom.

"We have a team that I do not believe deserves to finish at the bottom of the table.

"And the spirit is absolutely brilliant."

Clearly, Whalley face a stern challenge in tomorrow's bottom v top encounter - no mercy, but they wouldn't expect any.

The other finalists Read, in third place eight points behind, also face one of the struggling sides.

They entertain next-to-bottom Baxenden with the chance to warm up for the final in style. Ironically, the fixtures have also kept apart the other four teams reckoned to be in with a championship shout.

Earby, current second favourites for the title, Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern all have home advantage, while Great Harwood visit Edenfield.

Tomorrow's games: Blackburn N v Settle; Cherry Tree v Ribblesdale W; Clitheroe v Padiham; Earby v Osw Immanuel; Edenfield v Gt Harwood; Read v Baxenden; Whalley v Barnoldswick.

Latest title odds from Bradlow Racing are: 5-4 Barnoldswick, 3-1 Earby, 5-1 Read, 7-1 Blackburn N, 8-1 Clitheroe, 12-1 Gt Harwood, 25-1 Padiham, 33-1 bar. Each-way, one fifth the odds top three.

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