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David Hayes believes it could be tougher than ever as Cherry Tree bid to claim their second Jennings Ribblesdale League double in three years.

But the skipper of the current table-toppers isn't complaining. In fact, he's more than happy about the increased competition.

It's tight at the top and Hayes believes the improvement shown by several clubs has been to the benefit of the league as a whole.

``I think it is definitely a better league this year,'' he said.

``Last year, you could look at the fixtures and have a pretty good idea of who would win the games.

``This year more teams, such as Whalley and Baxenden, are stronger.

``On their day, most teams in the league are capable of beating the others.''

After winning the double in 1997, Cherry Tree had to settle for the cup last summer and fourth place in the table.

But they are back in front in the title race and, significantly, have piled up a substantial number of bonus points compared to their rivals.

``For some reason, we didn't pick up many bonus points last year,'' said the skipper.

``It could possibly have been harder for us because we were the defending champions and other teams raised their game.

``But the pro Naeem Ashraf has been bowling quite well, not to mention having a better start with the bat.

``And Gary Bolton is back in top form.'' The leaders visit struggling Oswaldtwistle Immanuel tomorrow and Hayes added: ``We'll be favourites and we will be confident.

``But we don't usually play particularly well there and, if I remember correctly, we were saved by the rain last year.''

Cherry Tree, meanwhile, are likely to produce a vigorous defence in reply to a complaint from Padiham about the state of their wicket at Preston Old Road. League secretary Rod Slater confirmed: ``We have had a complaint from one club which has been forwarded to Cherry Tree for them to discuss and report back.''

Hayes, however, pointed not only to the weather problems for all clubs but also the fact that Cherry Tree had set a new league runs record at home to Settle just a few weeks before the game concerned in the complaint!

Padiham actually beat Cherry Tree, losing eight wickets before passing their total of 56 all out.

``We played Padiham on a wicket which had been dry all week and was very hard the day before the game.

``But then it rained and it was a bit of a flyer,'' said the skipper.

``When it's dry our track is the best in the league. But when it rains on a hard track it can be bad.

``But you have to live with these things if you are involved in league cricket in this part of the world with the weather we get.

``In the Lancashire League, there was a 60-odd plays 50-odd game only the other week.''

Tomorrow's fixtures: Baxenden v Gt Harwood; Blackburn N v Clitheroe; Earby v Edenfield; Oswaldtwistle Imm v Cherry Tree; Read v Barnoldswick; Ribblesdale W v Whalley; Settle v Padiham.