FLAT track bully James Peterson has a league and cup double in his sights.

The hard-hitting Aussie wrote his name into the Vaux Ribblesdale League record books when he became the first man to hit a league double centrury at Oswaldtwistle a fortnight ago.

And those who witnessed his mammoth double-ton will remember his innings for a long time to come.

Peterson scored 203 not out, a new record batting score in the league, and just one short of Craig Haworth's all-time record of 204 scored in the Ramsbottom Cup for Great Harwood against Earby in 1990.

Now, with Barnoldswick already planning ahead for a Ramsbottom Cup final appearance against Read on July 28, Peterson is steering them towards their first championship since 1992.

"The innings at Oswaldtwistle was just one of those days when everything seemed to click," explained Peterson.

"Once I had got to 100 I felt I could bat all day. The ball was skidding on to the bat and it was such a quick outfield. It was an especially nice moment for me when I reached 200 because we had a lot of our crowd at Oswaldtwistle and they enjoyed it."

Tomorrow Barnoldswick face one of their sternest tests of the season to date when they take on Blackburn Northern at Pleckgate Road. But the all-conquering Peterson, fresh from his 79 against Great Harwood in last weekend's pulsating semi-final, preaches caution.

"We are going well at the moment but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels," he said.

"It could not be any tighter at the top of the table. We have the same number of points as Blackburn and are just two points behind Read.

"Tomorrow is a really tough task for us. I don't know a great deal about Blackburn Northern, other than they are a very well-balanced amateur side.

"Their professional, Ian Billcliff, is a very good all-round player and certainly seems to have made a difference for them this season."

Leaders Read will be hoping to extend their lead at the summit of the Ribblesdale League table against Great Harwood at Whalley Road. While Earby - handily placed in fourth spot - take on Clitheroe at Applegarth.

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

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