CLITHEROE skipper Paul Gaskell instists his men must continue to take each game as it comes as they bid to reclaim the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League crown.

But even the calm Gaskell admits a 24-point weekend was ‘massive’ for everyone at Chatburn Road.

Clitheroe beat Euxton and Great Harwood and are now 35 points ahead of defending champions Barnoldswick, who have leap-frogged Read into second spot.

Gaskell’s men had to turn to substitute professionals for the double header after paid man Kashif Siddique was called back to Pakistan for a domestic T20 tournament.

And the skipper is free to admit that Siddique’s replacements were two stars for his title chasers.

They hired Pakistani Hong Kong star Tanwir Afzaal for Saturday’s game and former Chatburn Road pro Craig Thysson on Sunday – and they both performed with Afzaal taking nine wickets and Thysson hitting a brilliant ton.

“We knew there was no risk at all on Sunday,” said Gaskell.

But Saturday was a pleasant surprise.

You never really know what you are going to get with a sub.

“Some just turn up and go through the motions – but he was awesome from the start and his figures said it all.

“Craig batted really well on Sunday – but he was backed up by Peter Dibb.

“We were 20-3 and struggling and Dibby went and got 70-odd and batted superbly.

“And that made it the perfect weekend really.”

But despite holding all the aces in the title race, Gaskell is keeping cool and added: “There is still a way to go and a lot can change.

“We just have to keep on doing what we have been doing so well.”