CLITHEROE skipper Peter Dibb is hoping his men can salvage their season on Sunday and use their cup form as a springboard to silverware.

Dibb’s men were among the pre-season title favourites.

But their campaign has slumped from the start and they are second from bottom of the Ribblesdale League.

But on Sunday, all those league worries are taken off the mind as the Ribble Valley raiders enter Ramsbottom Cup semi-final battle with Padiham.

And Dibb, for one, cannot wait for the game.

“We were beaten by Padiham last weekend,” he said. “But we had quite a few players missing while they were at full strength.

“So while Padiham may think they are favourites, we are quite confident.”

Clitheroe’s league form has been a major disappointment during a season totally dominated at the other end of the table by Baxenden.

Ian Austin’s men were expected to be pushed hard by Dibb’s Clitheroe - but the Ribble Valley outift have only really showed their true colours in the cups.

“The league form has been not good,” he said. “But in the cups we have done okay.

“We have done well in the 20/20 and in the Ramsbottom Cup so really we go into this game in not bad form overall, especially if we forget the league.

“We beat Settle in the first round that then put Read out. They were going great ahead of that game and have now started to struggle in the league.

“It shows just what can happen with one good result.

“But overall we are in decent form in the cups and hopefully that will continue on Sunday.”

The other semi-final sees Baxenden entertaining Earby at Back Lane.