I WILL probably put the kiss of death on them now, but it is quietly being whispered round Sycamore Road that Walshaw are just a few games away from achieving promotion to the GMCL Premier League.

The aim for Walshaw will have always been to get promoted, especially with signing Wasim Jaffer as professional for this season.

What a signing Jaffer has been – with just short of 1,000 runs scored in the league – ably assisted by Saif Bhojani who could possibly also hit 1,000 runs before the season finishes.

Only Royton's professional has more runs than them in the division and that’s who the club are hoping to pip to the promotion spot as they are level on points.

Bowling-wise, Shabnan Ali can achieve 50 league wickets as well and skipper Mikey Watt will be hoping he does that sooner rather than later.

Walshaw have got struggling Brooksbottom this weekend away, a trip to Heyside and then their season culminates with a home game versus Whalley Range, who will have their own aspirations of sneaking into that second promotion spot should results go their way over the next couple of weeks.

It’s a wonderful achievement for Walshaw to be within touching distance of promotion.

They are unbeaten since mid June and that is especially good having lost Ally Dickson, who returned to Edgworth, and being without bowler Stephen Holt for chunks of the season.

Despite losing key players this season Walshaw could replace any one of six teams from the Premier League in 2019 with only nine points separating fourth-placed Roe Green and Denton St Lawrence, who occupy the last relegation spot in the top flight.

Speaking of Walshaw, congratulations to their former professional Jon Fielding who recently took his 800th Lancashire League wicket for Ramsbottom.