BRILLIANT Babar Naeem smashed Baxenden into the final of the Ribblesdale League Ramsbottom Cup as he found his form in a remarkable semi-final at Padiham on Sunday.

The Bash pro hit 185 as his side piled up 355-7 from their 48 overs and clattered 20 fours and nine sixes in a stunning show.

Simon Payne also made 55 and Ian Austin clattered a quickfire 44 from just 25 balls as Bash found their form at the Arbories.

Padiham pro Kashif Siddique claimed five wickets but his nine overs cost 92 as Bash teed off.

Much relied on Siddique as Padiham replied but he was run out for just 17 but the game was still alive as Umar Saddique starred.

He hit 126 from just 71 balls with nine fours and 12 sixes - but when he was out, Padiham were in trouble and wree eventuaklly bowled out 100 runs short.

Baxenden will face Settle in the final at Edenfield after the Yorkshiremen booked their place in the final as they edged past gutsy Cherry Tree in an enthralling semi-final at Preston Old Road.

The Yorkshiremen were coasting towards the showpiece when professional Harry Boam and Andrew McCracken were together.

But they suffered a real wobble and only just got home amid nerves and tension.

Rain caused a major delay in proceedings and Cherry Tree lost their rhythm as their normally free scoring batsmen struggled in the face of smart bowling.

But they had recruited West Indian Test ace Brendan Nash from Blackburn neighbours East Lancashire for the big day - and he didn’t disappoint with the bat.

As those around wobbled, Nash batted brilliantly to rescue Cherry Tree from 107-7.

He made 93 from 94 balls with 10 fours in a textbook showing and a late cameo from Danny Lord saw the hosts make 195.

That seemed to make things competitive but Boam and McCracken batted tremendously to share a rapid 119 opening stand.

The young Kiwi paid man was hugely impressive as he made a wonderful 59 and was never in danger until Nigel Robbins skittled him.

McCracken had been put down with the score on eight but took that life and went on to make 54 before Andreas Sudnick had him caught behind smartly by Mark Friend.

And that sparked the Settle wobble as their big hitters failed. And when James Freebury unwisely tried to take a single off his first ball to Nash at backward point, it was simply cricket suicide.

West Indian Test men tend to be quite useful in the field and Freebury was on his way back and it was game on as the visitors were 155-6.

But last year’s professional Brent Findlay playing as an amateur, and Eddie Read calmed the nerves and steered the Yorkshiremen into the final as the sun started to set over the ground.