Emotional Matt Nutter dedicated Barnoldswick 's first Houldsworth Ribblesdale League title for 20 years to his late dad, Ian Nutter.

Ian was wicketkeeper when 'Barlick' last lifted the trophy in 1992 but died last January after falling from Pendle Rise car park in Nelson, aged 65.

"It was a crazy time back,"admitted Nutter who only took over the captaincy of the Victory Park side this year.

"I haven't had the greatest of seasons, performance wise, but I guess that is understandable with what's happened.

"But it's a nice thought that dad was part of the last Barnoldswick team to become champions and I am captain now.

"We've gone close a few times in the past. I can remember us needing to win the last game and losing.

"So, this is certainly sweet and I think, over the course of the season, we have deserved it.

"We have lost only one match-against Clitheroe- and while there have been doubts here and there, I was always confident."

Barnoldswick started the weekend knowing one win from their double header would be good enough to clinch the title.

And they did it in style beating Salesbury by 49 runs on Saturday and following up yesterday (Sunday) with a seven run success over Earby .

"There's quite a few people who deserve a mention," added Nutter.

"Liam Bedford has been brilliant for us since he joined, Luke Hodgson must have won four of five games for us with vital runs while Umar and Abdul Saddique have just been so consistent since they came in from Padiham.

"It's just been an outstanding team effort and it's nice to win the title without having to win our last game at Cherry Tree."

Barnoldswick have a 26 points lead over Read who secured second place thanks to a 91 run win at Padiham