Baxenden go into the weekend as leaders but just five points separate them from second-placed Barnoldswick and Read in third in one of the closest leagues for years.

Bash will look to prove they are over last Saturday’s defeat to Read when they travel to Salesbury today before entertaining Settle tomorrow.

Barnoldswick are looking the real deal ahead of their trip to Clitheroe today before playing host to Great Harwood in a clash of star professionals Jaffar Nazir and Syed Shahabuddin tomorrow.

Lancashire star Oliver Newby will make a return to the Ribblesdale League on Saturday as he looks to fire home club Read towards the top of the table.

The availability of Red Rose fast bowler Newby is a massive boost for Warren Eastham’s men ahead of their showdown with Ribblesdale Wanderers at Whalley Road.

Read have only claimed four bonus points this season and will hope to improve that record.

Salesbury hope professional Susantha Pradeep is fit for the trip to Ribblesdale Wanderers tomorrow.

The Sri Lankan has a knee problem and East Lancashire’s Ockert Erasmus stands in today against Baxenden.

The league’s bottom two sides meet at Preston Old Road today as Cherry Tree in 13th host cellar dwellers Settle.

Cherry Tree recall former captain and star bowler Jon Baldwin in their side after he returned from Australia.

Andreas Sudnik says he is delighted to have former skipper and leading amateur bowler Jon Baldwin back in his Cherry Tree pack.

And now the Preston Old Road captain is ready to look up and steer his side away from the lower reaches of the Ribblesdale League.

Back-to-back wins last weekend took a fancied Cherry Tree off the foot of the table and now with another double header this weekend, Sudnik is ready to build.

Baldwin claimed 37 wickets in all competitions last season but missed the start of the 2011 campaign as he was working in Australia.

But he arrived back in the country on Wednesday and goes straight into action today against Settle and again tomorrow at Padiham.

“It’s great to have Jon back,” said Sudnik. “He gives our attack that little bit more and it lifts the whole club.”

Reigning champions Clitheroe entertain Barnoldswick today and Edenfield tomorrow.

Edenfield, who have lost all form, face a testing trip to Whalley today.

Earby host Oswaldtwistle Immanuel today and welcome Richard Palmer’s Whalley to the Applegarth tomorrow.

Padiham head to Great Harwood today and host Cherry Tree tomorrow.

Saturday

Cherry Tree v Settle, Clitheroe v Barnoldswick, Earby v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Great Harwood v Padiham, Read v Ribblesdale Wanderers, Salesbury v Baxenden, Whalley v Edenfield.

Sunday

Barnoldswick v Great Harwood, Baxenden v Settle, Earby v Whalley, Clitheroe v Edenfield, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Read, Padiham v Cherry Tree, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Salesbury