HOLDERS Great Harwood continue the defence of the Vaux Ramsbottom Cup against Settle at Cliffe Park tomorrow.

The tie marks the pick of the second round as Harwood take on the Yorkshire Dales side whom last won the trophy in 1970.

Harwood landed the Ramsbottom Cup with a convincing victory over Cherry Tree last season and with home advantage tomorrow appear strong favourites to overcome Settle's challenge.

Ribblesdale Wanderers have an eye on the last four also. They do battle with Barnoldswick at Church Meadow.

With Read receiving a bye, the remaining tie, 1991 winners Earby face Baxenden, who have never won the trophy, at Applegarth. Second round ties: Earby v Baxenden, Great Harwood v Settle, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Barnoldswick.

Cherry Tree take on Blackpool at Preston Old Road tomorrow in the regional semi-finals of the Abbot Ale Club Championship, held by Chorley.

After a poor start to the league campaign, with availability a constant problem, skipper Gary Bolton welcomes back David Hayes, John Hughes, Lee Kennedy and Paul Reed to the side which beat Earby in the last round.

He said: "We have already beaten Morecambe of the Northern League this season and there is no reason we cannot do the same to Blackpool.

"And with a barrel of beer up for the grabs, some of the more portly members of our side have an added incentive."

The Ribblesdale League under 18s meet the Saddleworth League in the Manchester Evening News Trophy on Sunday, June 9 at Blackburn Northern CC, wickets pitched at 2pm. The team is: C Walton (Earby CC) capt, A Ainsworth (Ribblesdale Wanderers), I Clarkson (Earby), R Cooper (Blackburn Northern), P Edmondson (Salesbury), A Hall (Padiham), C Hickey (Cherry Tree), A Kelly (Padiham), A Morris (Blackburn Northern), A Rushton (Read), D Walton (Blackburn Northern). Reserve on stand-by: R Lamb (Great Harwood) batting, M Hargreaves (Clitheroe) bowling.

Players are requested to report to the ground no later than 1.30pm.

In the North West Colts competiton to be played on Sunday, June 16 at Barnoldswick CC, the Ribblesdale League meet the Liverpool Competition.

The team is: C Walton (Earby) capt, A Ainsworth (Ribblesdale Wanderers), I Clarkson (Earby), R Cooper (Blackburn Northern), P Edmondson (Salesbury), A Hall (Padiham), C Hickey (Cherry Tree), A Kelly (Padiham), A Morris (Blackburn Northern), A Rushton (Read), D Walton (Blackburn Northern).

Reserve on stand-by: R Lamb (Great Harwood) batting, M Hargreaves (Clitheroe) bowling.

Players are requested to report to the ground no later than 1pm.

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