UPBEAT and bang in-form Whalley had a double reason to cheer over the double header weekend – but skipper Richard Palmer is keen to talk down his side’s chances.

The villagers stunned Ribblesdale League leaders Baxenden on Saturday to further cement their fourth place in the table before dumping Great Harwood out of the Ramsbottom Cup 24 hours later.

That win at The Cliffe set up Whalley for a semi-final shot against Ian Britcliffe’s Ribbles-dale Wanderers on Sunday, July 3, as they look for a first Ramsbottom Cup win since 1994.

Palmer’s men won the league Twenty20 last year and are building a glowing reputation as a hard-to-beat side.

Yet their chances are often talked down – but that is something that doesn’t bother Palmer.

“That wasn’t a bad weekend for a bad side,” he said.

“People often have the attitude ‘it’s only Whalley’ - but that doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

“They can say and think what they like about us, we will just go on about our business.”

Pro Kamran Younas has been in form for Whalley and his six-wicket blast was the leading reason his side dashed Bash at Station Road.

But despite occupying a lofty fourth spot, Palmer is keeping his feet on the ground.

Baxenden lead the table from Barnoldswick with Read in third spot in a congested top end.

And Palmer admitted: “ think it will be a three-horse race.

“Other teams are similar to ourselves in that they are only consistent in their consistency.

“I don’t think any teams are good enough to go on a run without losing.

“I think we are all playing for fourth, which is no disgrace and it is great to see us up there at the moment.”