CHERRY Tree have swooped to solve their pro crisis ahead of today’s Ramsbottom Cup semi-final with Settle and are hoping West Indian Test ace Brendan Nash can fire them past Settle.

The Blackburn side are missing their paid man Paul Turner to an ankle injury but have pulled off a coup for the big last-four clash at Preston Old Road.

The appearance of East Lancs’ pro Nash, who arrived back in the country yesterday following his impressive show for the Windies against South Africa, is sure to add extra spice to a tie between two in-form sides.

And Cherry Tree skipper Jon Baldwin is looking forward to getting first hand experience of the Aussie-born star.

“I haven’t actually managed to see him live even though he plays just up the road,” said Baldwin. “But I have seen him on the TV and he is quality and hopefully he can do the job for us.

“It is a blow to lose Paul and we are struggling to find a replacement for Barnoldswick.

“But we moved to sign Nash and there is excitement ahead of the game.”

The two sides met in the league last month with Cherry Tree chasing down Settle’s daunting 261 with an over to spare and Baldwin is expecting another good battle.

“They are a good side and will come here looking for a spot of revenge,” he added.

The other semi-final pits Padiham into Arbories battle with Ramsbottom Cup holders Baxenden.

That clash sees the league’s two biggest hitting professionals go head to head as Padiham’s Kashif Siddique meets Baxenden’s Babar Naeem.

The two sides meet in the league at Back Lane today before the cup return and for Siddique it is a big weekend.

He has informed Padiham of his intention to leave at the end of the season after seven years as professional.

Siddique has broken numerous Ribblesdale League record while at Padiham including scoring 233 runs in a game with Ribblesdale Wanderers in 2007 and only last week he smashed 181 from just 60 balls at Earby in a T20 game.

He is also closing in on 8,000 cup and league runs for the club, standing just 107 short of the mark.