LANCASHIRE League heavyweights Ramsbottom and Rishton are sparring up for an end of season punch-up.

And this time fired-up Ramsbottom want to deliver a knockout blow to claim their first championship crown in four years.

Ramsbottom saw Rishton land the championship silverware in 1995 after New Zealand professional Chris Harris had led them to the brink of a title success with a league double of 1,200 runs and 100 wickets.

Tomorrow, though, they lock horns with rivals Haslingden at Acre Bottom in a derby fixture that could go a long way to determine the destiny of the marathon championship race.

Both Haslingden and Ramsbottom were winners a week ago and victory could propel Ramsbottom into second place.

Skipper Jack Simpson - who slammed 80 last weekend - said: "There are half a dozen or so clubs who are capable of winning the league but we would love to go one better and clinch the title this time.

"I think the key to that will be more consistent cricket. This time last year we had a double header weekend and lost both fixtures - to Colne and Bacup.

"And that let Rishton in to win the league by just four points. Our batting has been good this season, although I don't want too many repeats of last weekend when we had to chase 255 at Rawtenstall. That wasn't what the doctor ordered but we managed a win.

"They are always tight games whenever Ramsbottom play Haslingden. We've had the better of our old rivals over the past few years."

Ramsbottom have had a fitness scare over the fitness of professional Chris Harris after he suffered a foot injury. But he will definitely play against Haslingden.

Lowerhouse will be searching for maximum points at Colne after a recent slump in form. They take on Colne at the Horsfield while Rishton face East Lancs at Alexandra Meadows.

"We have to get ourselves back on track as quickly as possible and that means a result at Colne," said Lowerhouse skipper Gary Moorhouse.

"I haven't seen Colne's Ben Johnson batting, but from the scores I have seen he rarely seems to fail.

Fixtures: Burnley v Nelson, Church v Accrington, Colne v Lowerhouse, East Lancs v Rishton, Enfield v Todmorden, Ramsbottom v Haslingden, Rawtenstall v Bacup.

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