FEUDING Vaux Ribblesdale League clubs have been told to make their peace.

League secretary Jack Cross has called for a clean slate following a series of ugly incidents last season.

More than one centred on allegations of racial abuse.

Mr Cross said: "What happened last season is water under the bridge.

"One can only hope that clubs and players that have been at loggerheads can let matters rest.

"If we can hold a balance between the competetive element and enjoyment, we have the best of all games."

Pre-season favourites Read and Great Harwood are amongst the clubs who have made significant winter moves to strengthen their ranks. Both face tricky away fixtures when the season starts tomorrow.

READ face BLACKBURN NORTHERN having secured the services of former Rishton bowler Mark Greenhalgh, who was professional at Leek last season.

Neil Snape has also joined the club from Padiham although Steven and Andrew Rushton - last season's most promising player in the league -have joined Earby.

Shahid Nawaz, second in the bowling and third in last season's batting averages, is back at Whalley Road as professional.

Blackburn Northern are optimistic about the signing of former India Test star Chetan Sharma as professional.

But he is set to miss the opener because of industrial action on Indian airways.

And their amateur ranks have been depleted by the loss of Jeff Hacking and Nigel Robbins to Darwen.

However, Sean Gambles and Richard Shovelton have returned from Enfield and Great Harwood respectively, while Graham Eaton and Paul Bromley return to the game.

GREAT HARWOOD have signed Aussie batsman Scott Pearce who makes his league debut at former club CHERRY TREE.

Harwood, who retained Chris Killen as professional, also include last season's Padiham captain Pankaj Tripathi and acquisition from Cherry Tree, all-rounder Chris Ramsker. Cherry Tree welcome former Read professional Naeem Ashraf, fresh from a sucessful winter with Lahore in Pakistan.

Simon Hulme's arrival from Read strengthens the batting ranks and a more settled side is expected under new skipper David Hayes.

CLITHEROE host BAXENDEN with no major personnel changes and again relying on professional Jonathan Fielding, who took a stunning 102 wickets last season.

Baxenden, with new professional David Usher - fresh from proing at Bury club Woodbank - have lost John Bushell to Lowerhouse and have doubts over skipper Dave Jackson who has a cruciate ligament injury.

The club also has to contend with the sad loss of Bob Collins.

Three players - Kevin Jelley, Stuart Molloy and Alban Hothersall - have been signed from Old Rossendalians to strengthen the squad.

Champions EARBY start their defence at home to WHALLEY.

Professional Jonathan Harvey returns to Applegarth after a fine debut season, although opening bowler Glyn Sedman has joined Colne.

The arrival of the Rushtons is balanced by the departure of both Ian Clarksons to Nelson.

Whalley are strengthened by the signing of Nelson opening bowler Jason Smith as professional while last season's paid man Mark Fallon takes the reins as skipper.

David Redhead has returned from East Lancs and there is a renewed determination throughout the club.

EDENFIELD welcome new pro John Ashley from Hyde for their home game against OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL.

Ashley has brought Michael Greaves from his old club and Nigel Franklyn has arrived from Bolton League side Eagley.

Ossie have secured the services of Phil Mayers from Church and have turned to former Padiham overseas amateur Matthew Lawrence as professional, with Gerard Metcalf taking the reins as captain.

PADIHAM host an attractive fixture against BARNOLDSWICK with Mark Harvey as new professional and Neil Anderson as new skipper.

In addition to Tripathi, Nasir Mehmood has left for Burnley.

Barnoldswick have again gone Down Under for their paid man, Bruce Hara arriving with a big reputation and a lot to live up to after James Peterson topped both league batting and bowling averages. Batsman Lee Naylor has left to join Colne.

SETTLE have signed slow left-armer Mike Curran as professional and he will also fill the role of skipper.

Curran has Minor Counties experience with Herefordshire but has spent the last nine years in the Manchester Association with Cheetham Hill.

The club have also invested in a new county standard set of covers costing more than £7,000.

Their opening game is against RIBBLESDALE WANDERERS will be without professional Gurinder Singh, whose wife is expecting her first baby, and are hampered by league rules which prevent a substitute standing in.

Wicketkeeper Howard Braithwaite has joined from neighbours Clitheroe.

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