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Oswaldtwistle Immanuel are hoping to have Russell Whalley back as their professional next season - along with the fireworks he produced when blasting the Settle attack to all parts on Saturday, writes Pete oliver.

Whalley hammered a 42-ball ton to speed Oswaldtwistle to a nine-wicket victory.

And if the club gets its way, the former Rishton man will be leading by example again next summer.

``We are looking towards next season and we think Russell will probably re-sign,'' said skipper Roger Watson, who believes his side will be better equipped to mount a challenge at the top end of the Jennings Ribblesdale League by then.

``We'd like him back and we've got some youngsters coming through who we are trying to give a bit of chance,'' Watson added. Mitch Taylor fits into that category and the young batsman was promoted to number three as Oswaldtwistle closed in on their victory target of 133.

He responded with an unbeaten 11, having watched Whalley blast his way to a century in an opening stand of 120 of which Duncan Watson stood back and made 11.

Whalley crashed 12 fours and eight sixes in his 49-ball 111 not out as Settle's total was overhauled inside 15 overs.

``It was a pleasure to watch rather than be on the receiving end,'' said skipper Watson.

``He's a big, strong lad and he punished some bad bowling.

``They fed him and he took full advantage. It was his day and it was fantastic to watch.

``It's been coming. He's had his sixties and seventies but not the big one until now.

``He absolutely smashed it and it was certainly one of the best amatuer knocks I've seen.''

Whalley's explosion took his runs tally for the season to around the 750 mark, although Oswaldtwistle still find themselves in the bottom four - a position they will be looking to improve on in this weekend's double-header against bottom club Blackburn Northern and Baxenden.

``We should have had 14 points from the last two but we lost seven wickets for as many runs last week.

``But we've got Blackburn Northern on Saturday when we'll be looking for some points,'' Watson added.