SALESBURY skipper Steve Brown has hailed Josh Bristol’s outstanding display in his side’s sensational success at previously unbeaten Ribblesdale Wanderers on Saturday as one of the best he has seen.

Bristol became the first bowler to claim the scalp of Ryan Canning in this season’s Ribblesdale League when he had the big-hitting South African caught at fine leg for a duck.

And from then on it just got better and better for the talented teenager.

In three remarkable overs, two of them maidens, Bristol returned figures of 6-1 as Wanderers were skittled for just 65 after being 33-0 at one stage.

Salesbury then cruised to 66-1 to move up to third in the standings, behind defending champions Clitheroe and early leaders Settle, going into this Saturday’s big clash at home to fourth-placed Barnoldswick.

But there was no doubt about the star of the show.

Brown said: “Josh was unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it and I was just able to enjoy it from second slip.

“He’s only 17 but he’s been playing for the first team for the last three or four years now. He actually got five wickets on his debut so were joking with him on Saturday. He’s a really good player and it was a great win for us.

“Ribblesdale had been going well and their pro was scoring a lot of runs so it was great to get him out early for a duck.

“There were a couple of games called off as well so a 12-point win has done us the world of good.

“Barnoldswick have also started strongly so it should be a good game.

“It was just a shame we couldn’t beat Whalley in the Ramsbottom Cup on Sunday. But we’ll still be confident.”

Brown’s options for the battle with fellow high flyers Barnoldswick will be boosted for the return of Scott Wharton.

Wharton is a member of Blackburn Rovers’ academy and the centre-back made his U21s debut, alongside first-team captain Grant Hanley, in a 1-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers last Thursday.

But with his footballing commitments over for the summer, the 17-year-old can now concentrate his efforts on the cricket season.

n Cherry Tree have been handed a home tie against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel in the third round of the Ramsbottom Cup after eliminating holders Ribblesdale Wanderers at the weekend.

Ramsbottom Cup third round draw: Cherry Tree v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Whalley v Settle, Earby v Brinscall, Barnoldswick v Euxton.

Lawrenson Cup third round draw: Clitheroe v Edenfield or Barnoldswick, Read v Stacksteads, Euxton or Salesbury v Brooksbottom, Brinscall v Earby.