One of the major factors was a much-improved performance on the social side, where a net profit of UKP 1,109 was recorded even after a donation of UKP 7,200 to enable the cricket side to show a surplus of UKP 3,275.
And the cricket club accounts also showed that expenses had been drastically reduced in the year to the end of September, not least the cost of the professional.
Corrie Jordaan came much cheaper than Meyrick Pringle.
Wages and national insurance showed up as just UKP 3,690, plus UKP 1,795 for travelling and accommodation, compared to the 1997 figure of UKP 13,000 (travelling and accommodation UKP 1,243).
Rishton chairman Rod Simpson explained that the true wages figure was actually closer to UKP 5,000, with some of the money having already been allocated to the accounts.
But having a much cheaper pro clearly made a big difference and he added: ``In the circumstances it is a good result.'' Costs fell from UKP 30,303 to UKP 19,637, although income was slightly down from UKP 23,973 to UKP 22,912 with clubs hit by poor weather.
On the social side, gross profit out of bar takings of UKP 103,026 (UKP 100,466 in 1997) was UKP 40,457 (UKP 34,152).
After wages and expenses, the Social Club showed a surplus of UKP 9,309 (UKP 3,854) and were able to pass over UKP 7,200 to the cricket side and still show a profit.
The annual meeting of the social club will take place in the clubhouse at Blackburn Road on Monday, January 18 (8.15pm). The cricket agm is the following Monday, January 25 (8.15pm).