BARNOLDSWICK'S Vaux Ribblesdale League marathon has stepped up another gear.

Last weekend's five point win at Blackburn Northern saw the Victory Park outfit climb into top spot.

And professional James Peterson is predicting an enthralling finale as Barnoldswick battle it out with Earby, Read, and Northern for the championship.

The Australian professional's plucky 70 at Pleckgate Road brings his run-charge to 431 for the season.

He said: "Psychologically that win at Blackburn Northern was a very important one for us.

"We thought any total over 150 would be enough and, thankfully, that was the case.

"But it would be wrong for me to make any predictions about the championship. We are top of the table because we deserve to be there on the form we have showed. Psychologically, the squad is in a good frame of mind.

"When we got together at the start of the season we said we would be reasonably happy with a top four spot.

"We'd lost a lot of players to the Lancashire League and the Northern League. We just don't have the strength in depth we had last year. "Yet every player in this Barnoldswick side has responded so well to the task. Our batting could be a little bit stronger but our bowling and fielding has been brilliant."

Tomorrow Barnoldswick lock horns with Great Harwood - a side Peterson says he rates as one of the best in the league.

"They may not be up at the top of the table but they've shown some really good form lately," he said.

"Great Harwood had a great win against Read last weekend and they gave us a really tough match in the Ramsbottom Cup. It will be a really tough task for us."

Second-placed Earby, comfortable winners over Clitheroe last weekend, face a tough task against Cherry Tree at Preston Old Road.

Cherry Tree clocked up their fifth win of the season last weekend over Baxenden and they will be looking for a repeat performance tomorrow.

Read want to re-ignite their championship drive at Edenfield while bottom-of-the-table Whalley go to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

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