BAXENDEN host Read in a mouthwatering Ramsbottom Cup semi-final today as they look to extend their stranglehold on the competition to a third year.

Bash, who beat Settle in last year’s final and Clitheroe in 2008, lost their lead of the Ribblesdale League last weekend when they were beaten by Padiham.

However, Andy Caunce’s men, who have shocked many this season with their push at the top end of the table, go into the Back Lane battle with third-placed Read high on confidence and fancy their chances of making a third straight final.

Caunce admits that both teams are evenly matched and believes the tie will be settled by the side batting the best.

“There is very little between the two teams,” said the former Ramsbottom and East Lancashire wicketkeeper.

“There’s a lot of mutual respect between the players on both sides and we all know that the side which performs the better on the day will come out on top.

“Batting is the key and it could come down to whose lower order performs better on the day.”

Read chairman Steve Lowes is also looking forward to what should be a tight game and said: “It will be a good one and let’s say may the best team win.”

The other semi-final pits in-form Whalley up against Ribblesdale Wanderers at Station Road.

It is Whalley’s first Ramsbottom Cup semi-final since losing to Baxenden at Station Road in 2007, while Wanderers are hoping to go one better than in 2008 when they were well beaten in the final by Padiham.