ALL eyes will be on the Ramsbottom Cup on Sunday as eight sides battle it out for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Reigning champions and current Ribblesdale League leaders Baxenden make the testing trip to the Applegarth for their game with an Earby side who are in good spirits.

And there is an intriguing tie at The Cliffe between Great Harwood and Richard Palmer’s in-form Whalley, whose run has seen them shoot into fourth place in the table.

That game pits Harwood pro Syed Shahabuddin, who has 656 runs to date, against Whalley’s classy Kamran Younas in what should be an enthralling clash.

Warren Eastham takes Read to Clitheroe in a replay of the Lancash-ire Cup tie of earlier this season.

The other tie sees Salesbury welcoming Ribblesdale Wanderers to Ribchester Road for another game that is close to call.

Salesbury aim to reach the last four of the Ramsbottom Cup for the first time in their history – but skipper Jason Rawson is telling his men that they must be on top of their game if they are to have a chance of beating Ribblesdale Wanderers.

The Red Caps, who made their bow in the competition last season after finally clinching a spot in the league’s top flight, have won three of their Ribblesdale League games this season – but were soundly beaten by Wanderers in the league a fortnight ago.

Rawson, who is hunting for a substitute professional ahead of this weekend after paid man Susantha Pradeep continues to struggle with a knee injury, knows the game is winnable but only if Salesbury hit their top form.

“Wanderers are an excellent side and it is a really hard draw,” said Rawson.

“They have an exceptional bowler in Brannon Varley, who was outstanding against us the other week, and for us to win we really will have to be on form.”

Salesbury were beaten by Whalley in the Twenty20 on Thursday as Richard Palmer’s men got home with a ball to spare chasing 131 from 17 overs – and Rawson says that result sums up the problems with his side.

“Fair play to Whalley, they got home well chasing a decent scorem” he said.

“But we didn’t bowl or field well enough. The lads need to be alert and on top of their game when they are out there.

“To beat Ribb we have to bat well and bowl tightly and field well, we can’t afford to let the standards drop as we have done in some games.”

Second round ties

Earby v Baxenden, Clitheroe v Read, Great Harwood v Whalley, Salesbury v Ribblesdale W