Ribblesdale League: Jon just feels tons better (9 June 1999)

9 June 1999

Ribblesdale League: Jon just feels tons better

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Jonathan Harvey could set a Jennings Ribblesdale League record if he completes a hat-trick of centuries against Clitheroe on Saturday, writes Pete Oliver.

Harvey has exploded into form with successive tons against Blackburn Northern (151) and Great Harwood (112 not out) after a run of three ducks in four innings prior to that.

And the Earby professional will put his name in the record books if he rattles up three figures again at Chatburn Road. There are a number of instances of back-to-back centuries, most recently by Earby's John Rainger in 1991, but no mention of three-in-a-row in the league handbook.

However, Harvey understandably refuses to tempt fate by discussing his chances.

"You'll have to ask Clitheroe about that. I'm not making too many comments before Saturday," he said.

Instead, he is happy just to be back among the runs.

"I'm a lot more pleased than I have been. It's certainly a better run of form.

"You're always worried about it, especially when you're the pro. "When you're not winning it doesn't help. It doesn't do anything for confidence if the pro isn't getting runs," admitted Harvey, who was in one-day action for the Lancashire Cricket Board side against Shropshire at Blackpool today.

His two hundreds have helped Earby collect successive victories which have kick-started their season after a poor start to the summer.

Great Harwood were on the receiving end last Saturday which could be a good omen for an Earby side which were championship challengers up to the final month of last season.

"They had a couple of players missing which helped our cause, but we don't usually beat Great Harwood. They normally turn us over," admitted Harvey, who now has Clitheroe firmly in his sights.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)