THE young guns shone in the Readers Inter-League Cup as the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League U18s more than matched the senior representative side’s efforts with an outstanding display on Sunday.

As the senior team piled on the runs against the Lancashire County League to book a place in the semi-finals thanks to a crushing win at Edenfield, the youth squad were in Oldham as they faced the best young talent from the Saddlworth League.

And they really stepped up to the plate as they skittled the Saddleworth League for just 69.

Whalley star Sean Duckworth led the way in an impressive bowling display as he claimed four cheap wickets, while Cherry Tree’s Kelan Forentine grabbed two wickets.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel’s Niall Heyes also bagged a brace of wickets, while Read’s talented young wicketkeeper Tom Turner claimed six victims thanks to five catches and one brilliant stumping.

Chasing such a low score was not as straightforward as it initially seemed and the Ribblesdale League were wobbling at 33-5 on a lively pitch.

But Cherry Tree’s Jack Woolridge and Oswaldtwistle’s Matt Roberts steadied the ship and eventually say their team over the line.

The pair shared a partnership of 37 for the sixth wicket with Woolridge finishing on 18 not out and Roberts 12 not out.

Unlike the senior competition which is a straight knockout, the youth section is played as a round-robin and the locals are next in action on July 14 when they face the Central Lancashire League.