BAXENDEN Cricket Club might be at the wrong end of the Ribblesdale League Section A table but off the pitch they have plenty to celebrate.

The club turns 150 on Wednesday and are having a celebration ahead of the home game with Read next Saturday.

And Baxenden president Geoff Lund says it will be a proud day for everyone associated with the club.

He said: “I am so proud to have over seen this 150th anniversary, I have followed the cricket club for 63 years and played for them for 35 seasons.

“We’ve been trying to do is contact a lot of past players who are still around, and invite them up for a reunion of sorts in the club house whilst the game is going on, on Saturday afternoon”

Baxenden, whose first game was against Arden Hall all those years ago, haven’t had the best of seasons on the pitch.

They currently sit bottom of the Section A table, having only won one game ahead of their trip to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel tomorrow.

Lund knows that to escape the bottom two will be a tough ask but is hoping the birthday celebrations can inspire the players against Read.

He added: “We aren’t doing too well in the league, we sit bottom and have only won one game. I’m hoping the event can inspire the players, but it is a lot to ask.”

Lund also wants the occasion to be one to encourage the next generation of players to come and try the sport.

“I hope that the 150 year celebrations inspire future generations for years to come,” he added. “The club is a staple in the community and when kids realise it’s been going for so long that might encourage them to come and try it out.

“There are so many activities for youngsters to take part in now, it’s important that we do inspire them and I think that this celebration can do just that. Then the cricket club can continue for another 150 years.”