CRICKET comes first for Salesbury captain Stephen Brown, even if England reach football’s World Cup final.

No sooner were the Ribchester Road club celebrating reaching their first Ramsbottom Cup semi-final than they realised the clash of dates.

The last four games will be played on July 15 - the same day as football’s showpiece finale in Russia.

But Brown insists it will not be a case of split loyalties, even if the Three Lions roar all the way.

“I won’t be torn though, it’s cricket all the way,” said the Salesbury skipper. “Even if England are in the final.”

For Salesbury worked hard to get there and make club history.

The odds were stacked against them after a sluggish start in their reply to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel’s 177-4

But an unbeaten 85 from professional Hashen Ramanayake helped to turn the tie in their favour in an enthralling finish.

“It was tense,” said Brown.

“They got 177 - too many for our liking - and when we were batting we were pretty much out of it. But the pro at the end came good.

“We needed 10 an over with eight overs left. We never really looked like we were going to win it.

“But you’ve always got a chance when your pro’s in. We also had a power play to take as well so that helped us out, and we knew that they had to use their extra fifth and sixth bowlers.

“The pro got us home just in time.

“There were big cheers. The lads were ecstatic, and the supporters.

“It was a good night on Sunday!

“And it will be a good day on semi-finals day with it being the World Cup final as well.”

Brown added: “We’ve never got to the semi-finals before so that’s new for us.

“I’m proud as captain to achieve that, especially as we’ve got a young side. Only two are in their 30s, the rest are all under 22.”

And Brown has praised the influence of Sri Lankan first class cricketer Ramanayake, and not just in helping them to reach the last four.

“He is quite a quiet bloke but he likes to get involved and talk to the lads and pass on his advice,” he explained.

“He’s a decent all-round cricketer who bats, bowls and fields well.

“He has been a good fit.

“He has played in Scotland, Ireland and around London so this is his fourth season over here but this is his first time in the north west.

“He’s enjoying the weather at the minute. Last year he only played about 10 games in Scotland because of the rain.”

Salesbury have a home tie with defending Ribblesdale League champions and current leaders Settle in the semi-finals. But Brown does not fear the challenge.

“We’re just happy to get a home tie,” he said.

“We are quite good on our home ground. We know how to play to wicket and ground, so you never know.

“We nearly beat Settle in the group stages. That was another close one, and we should have won.”

Settle turn their attentions back to the league this weekend with tomorrow’s trip to Brinscall.

“Brinscall are going well at the minute and are on a similar run of form to us,” said Brown.

“They’ve been doing well in the 20/20, as have we, and doing well in the league.

“We beat them earlier on in the season in the cup, but it will be a different game in the league.”