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Jennings Ribblesdale League bowlers face another summer of punishment next year following the news that record-breaking batsman Shahid Nawaz is returning to Ribblesdale Wanderers for a third season.

The Pakistani run-machine is poised to break the league's aggregate record for the second year running.

And after Wanderers extended their lead at the top of the table at the weekend, Nawaz put pen to paper on a contract for the year 2000.

``It's really good news. All he's got to do is meet the usual qualifying procedures in his own country and I can't see that being too much of a problem for a player of his ability,'' said delighted Wanderers captain Terry Braithwaite.

``We are looking forward to getting him back next year and it could not have been better timed.

``Everybody's on a high and it will hopefully carry us through to the end of the season.''

Nawaz is less than 50 runs away from breaking his own record of 1,373 runs after posting scores of 48 and 100 at the weekend to leave Wanderers 11 points clear in the title race.

However, Braithwaite is taking nothing for granted as double-chasing Wanderers close in on their first league title for 36 years.

While Wanderers, who earlier this season lifted the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup, chalked up a twin success over the weekend as nearest rivals Padiham and Cherry Tree both slipped to back-to-back defeats.

But Braithwaite insisted: ``It was an excellent weekend but there's still a lot of cricket to be played, especially when you look at our next four fixtures. ``But at least it's in our hands. I'd rather have it that way than be relying on others, although we were very grateful to Clitheroe, Whalley, Great Harwood and Barnoldswick at the weekend.

``You would never have thought that Padiham and Cherry Tree would lose twice.''

Braithwaite's men are now firmly in the box seat but the fixture list means it's far from cut-and-dried.

However, the onus will be firmly on Padiham when the defending champions entertain Wanderers on Saturday.

Braithwaite added: ``If we beat them it puts the pressure on them but then we've got Read and Clitheroe, who won't do us any favours, followed by Cherry Tree, which could be another big game.''

However, the league leaders have given themselves some breathing space thanks to wins over Earby and struggling Blackburn Northern.

In a 28-over match against Earby, Nawaz made 48, David Howard 44 and Richard Palmer 36 as the visitors posted an imposing 167-8 - which ultimately proved to be just enough.

``We really thought it was unassailable,'' Braithwaite admitted. ``They were 64-5 at one stage and we thought we had a chance of bowling them out until Paul Tilbury came in and hit 54 off 35 balls to put them back in it. But once we got him it was all over.''

Sunday's win over Blackburn Norhern was more straightforward, although Northern's last pair hung on for the last six overs to deny Wanderers maximum points.

That may not matter though and by the time the two sides meet again on the final day of the season, the title may be heading to a buoyant Church Meadow.