A CAPTAIN'S lot is a thankless one and few would envy being in John Bushell's position. The Baxenden skipper steered his team to sixth place in the Vaux Ribblesdale League last season, but this year the Back Lane outfit have been hit for six. With just two wins from 11 games, Baxenden sit close to the bottom of the league.

"We've got into a bit of a rut," said John. "Luck hasn't been on our side and we've lost a lot of confidence.

"Our biggest problem has been fielding and dropped catches. We've also struggled to stop good players from scoring runs but all we need is a win to put us back on our feet."

There have been a few changes in the team, notably the loss of John's older brother Graham, who left last season to take up a coaching post, and off spinner Dave Jackson through injury.

On Saturday, Baxenden travel to Yorkshire to take on Settle, and entertain bottom side Whalley at home on Sunday.

John points to the victory over league leaders Barnoldswick as an example of what his team can achieve.

"There are no easy games but we've proved we are capable of beating the top sides. Our pro Andy Payne has been solid all season - we just need to back him up."

"Whalley will be a tough one as will Settle but if we play as a team and believe in ourselves, I see no reason why we can't win."

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

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

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