PADIHAM professional Mark Harvey launched the Jennings Ribblesdale League season with a blistering century.

Harvey set his side up for a superb victory over Settle and was partnered by John Hartley who scored 59 not out.

Padiham rattled up a total of 180-2 and Settle made just 98-6 in reply but Mark Verden had 70 not out.

Cherry Tree launched their campaign with a comfortable victory over Oswaldtwistle. The Blackburn club scored 145-9 thanks to 66 not out from big-hitting Paul Reed and Ossie struggled to 116-7 in reply.

Dexter Fitton was called in as sub-professional for Ribblesdale Wanderers when Shahid Nawaz failed to show and earned his keep with a superb knock of 70 not out to take them to victory over Whalley who had earlier held out at 102-9 with Barry Spencer taking six for 29.

Peter Sleep started his season with a hat-trick for Read as they held Barnoldswick to just 97-8. The visitors recorded a five wicket win in just 29.2 overs.

Neil Bolton scored 72 not out for Clitheroe as they marched to 172-6, but Blackburn Northern pulled off a run-rate victory in their rain-affected game.

Jonathan Fielding was deputy professional for Great Harwood at The Cliffe and scored 55 to set the side up for victory despite a 4-37 for new Baxenden pro Ronnie Davies. Mark Rishton hit 56 in reply but Stuart Maher did the damage in a fine spell of 5-16.

Results: Whalley 102-9, Ribblesdale Wdrs 104-4 (5 pts); Cherry Tree 145-9 (5), Oswaldtwistle 116-7; Barnoldswick 97-8, Read 98-5 (5); Clitheroe 172-6, Blackburn Northern 141-2 (5); Great Harwood 155-7 (5), Baxenden 133-7; Padiham 180-2 (5), Settle 98-6. Edenfield v Earby match abandoned.

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