READ begin their campaign to retain the Ramsbottom Cup title with a trip to Church Meadow to take on Ribblesdale Wanderers.

The cup holders have already pulled out a seven point lead at the top of the league and will be looking to repeat their 'double' success of last year, but Wanderers are keen to knock them off their perch.

The game of the round looks set to be the clash of Settle and Cherry Tree at The Marshfield, with the Blackburn club hoping to see the best of their new professional, Zahoor Elahi, who has opened up his campaign with two centuries. The Dales club also has a strong side and are among the favourites to lift the cup.

The clash between Clitheroe and Great Harwood should also produce a close encounter with both clubs looking to kick-start their season. Earby and Oswaldtwistle have byes in the first round.

This season the competition is sponsored by Castlemaine XXXX.

Ramsbottom Cup draw for tomorrow: Settle v Cherry Tree; Whalley v Padiham; Blackburn Northern v Barnoldswick; Edenfield v Baxenden; Ribblesdale W v Read; Clitheroe v Great Harwood. Byes: Oswaldtwislte Imm, Earby.

Next round (Sunday, June 6): Whalley or Padiham v Edenfield or Baxenden; Blackburn or Barnoldswick v Settle or Cherry Tree; Oswaldtwislte Imm v Ribblesdale W or Read; Clitheroe or Great Harwood v Earby.