STAND-IN South African professional Johann Louw came up with the goods as Clitheroe started the Jennings Ribblesdale League season on a high.

Louw, who is the new pro with East Lancashire, stood in as deputy for the Ribble Valley club and helped them to a nine wicket win over Padiham. He took five wickets for 50 runs as Padiham were dismissed for 109, despite a fighting innings of 63 from professional Pankaj Trepathi.

Clitheroe raced to victory in just 17 overs with Andy Burns not out 50 and Louw undefeated on 46 to complete a superb day. Settle could be one of the surprise packages of the season and opened up with a nine-wicket win over Earby, who were restricted to 109-7.

Settle cruised to victory with new signing Paul Stafford, who has moved from the Bolton League, scoring a big hitting 66 including seven fours and three sixes. Edenfield professional Ian Mitchell produced the first century of the season, scoring 107 not out as his side reached 174-9.

Whalley secured a four wicket win with Lee Kearsley top scoring on 70. Oswaldtwistle struggled to 109-5 and could do nothing to stop Read claiming a nine wicket win with Terry Little leading the way on 72 not out.

Ribblesdale Wanderers secured a five wicket win after visitors Baxenden set a target of 172-6 with the battling Mark Rishton on 85 not out and Peter Usher scoring 30.

Professional Shahid Nawaz led Ribblesdale to victory with 97 not out. Barnoldswick and Blackburn Northern are to play their game next Sunday because Barnoldswick's Victory Park pitch is unplayable after sections of the square were relaid at the end of last season and Blackburn were

unable to fulfil the fixture on Easter Sunday.

Results Senior Division: Cherry Tree 170-5 (5) Great Harwood 169-7 (0); Edenfield 174-9 (0) Whalley 175-6 (5); Oswaldtwistle Imm 109-6 (0) Read 113-1 (5); Padiham 109 (0) Clitheroe 110-1 (7); Ribblesdale W 174-5 (5) Baxenden 173-6 (0); Settle 110-1 (5) Earby 109-7 (0).