READ began the defence of their Jennings Ribblesdale Cricket League title in effortless style on Saturday.

And captain Warren Eastham was particularly pleased with the contribution of Terry Little, who scored 72 of Read's 113 runs against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Little's unbeaten knock ensured that his side reached their target of 109-5 for the loss of just one wicket.

Eastham said: "Terry is batting as well as he has done in the past five years that I've been here.

"He looks full of confidence stroking the ball around and he was enjoying himself.

"He used his experience to work the bowlers hard and he put the bad balls away."

Peter Sleep helped Little ease Read home in less than 27 overs with an unbeaten 28, with Michael Whalley the only batsman out, for a duck.

He was clean bowled by new Immanuel pro Wesley Morrick, who was also their top scorer with the bat with 46 not out.

However, considering that he was at number three, Immanuel will be disappointed at the lack of acceleration their batsmen applied to the 45-over innings.

Sleep took three wickets for just 28 in 17 overs, while Oliver Newby, back from Baxenden, was also impressively economical on his return.

Eastham added: "We've been confident of our form since we finished last season on top. We knew there was an element of luck in winning the championship but we want to take it on this year.

"We've had to strengthen our squad because the pressure is on us.

"People are saying that Read are the team they want to beat this year but we're proud of that and we want to carry it on."

Mohammed Naeem Ashraf fired Cherry Tree to a five wicket win over Great Harwood.

The pro scored an unbeaten 71, and also took two wickets as Great Harwood made 169-9 in their 45 overs.

Ashraf was then provided with good support from Bolton, Robbins and Hayes as Cherry Tree made 172-5.

There was also a good win and a superb individual pro performance from Shahid Nawaz as Ribblesdale Wanderers opened with a win at home to Baxenden.

Nawaz hammered 97 not out, the perfect response to Mark Rishton's unbeaten 85 in Baxenden's total of 172-6. Ribblesdale saw off the runs for the loss of five wickets.

Wanderers captain Terry Braithwaite was returning from holiday on Saturday so couldn't play, but was impressed with the victory.

He said: "I only saw us batting but Shahid batted really, really well which is ominous for other teams in the league.

"The amateurs supported him well and we had a few overs to spare so it was a comfortable win."

Had Nawaz been chasing a bigger total he might have had the season's first century but this honour went to Edenfield professional Ian Mitchell.

He has put himself well on course to match last season's haul of 500 runs but, unfortunately for last season's bottom side, his innings wasn't enough to stop Whalley leaving Gincroft Lane with a four wicket win.

Lee Kearsley was the top scorer for the visitors with 70 as they successfully chased Edenfield's 174-9.

Pakistani spinner Shabbir Ahmed didn't arrive at Clitheroe in time to face Padiham but their stand-in pro still inspired them to victory.

East Lancashire's South African import Johann Louw took five wickets as Padiham were dismissed for 109.

Their professional Pankaj Trepathi hit 63 but Clitheroe lost just one wicket as they completed victory in 17 overs. Andy Burns was not out on 50, Louw unbeaten on 46.

Earby made a bad start at Settle, where they slumped to a nine wicket defeat.

Settle restricted Chris Walton's men to 109-7 off their 45 overs with just two bowlers, then knocked off the runs in about half that time.