PANKAJ Tripathi is already giving Padiham full value for money this season.

But the performances of the Indian all-rounder, who has returned to the club as a professional this season, haven't yet yielded the results they deserve.

His opening day knock of 63 against Clitheroe contributed to a total of just 109, while last Sunday's 98 in Padiham's impressive score of 269 still wasn't enough to match Edenfield's 285.

But making such a good fight of chasing a daunting target gives the side encouragement ahead of tomorrow's first round Ramsbottom Cup tie at home to Blackburn Northern.

Tripathi said: "In two friendlies and three league games we're not looking a bad side. It was only Clitheroe who really stuffed us.

"We are batting well but our bowling and fielding needs to improve a little bit.

"Many sides would have folded chasing a total of 285 but we approached it really well.

"Looking at a total like that, we could have walked out as losers but we stuck in there and tried to make as much inroad into the total as possible.

"We needed a big partnership, and we had one of 153, but I couldn't make the century. My legs and my mind totally gave up but to maintain the scoring we did wasn't easy.

"The sprits are high here and everybody seems to be enjoying it at the moment, there's a buzz about the place."

Tripathi was previously an amateur at the Arbories but, after returning from a spell at Standish, has been well received as the pro this time.

He said: "People were a bit sceptical and it's difficult when you are there as a pro rather than an amateur.

"But the players have reacted well to the situation and it has all been very positive."

Tripathi is also coaching youngsters in the Padiham junior section and helping nurture the talent that they hope will recapture the glory years of the late 1990s.

He added: "We have a three-year plan to bring the youngsters through so they can take over from the older people, like myself."

Padiham face a Blackburn side looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Ribblesdale Wanderers on Sunday, which disrupted their excellent start to the season.

Tripathi said: "I don't know much about Blackburn Northern but they will be up for it so we need to bump each other up for this.

"If we field better than we did last week there's no reason why we can't do well, but anyone can beat anyone else on the day."

Holders Cherry Tree have dominated the Ramsbottom Cup in recent seasons, winning in three of the past six years, and their campaign starts at Earby tomorrow.

Tree are third in the Ribblesdale League and are fresh from a four wicket win over Barnoldswick, in which Naeem Ashraf took three wickets and made an unbeaten 49.

The break from league action might not bring a reprieve for Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, as their search for a first win of the season takes them to early pacesetters Settle.

Meanwhile, the team with the most Ramsbottom Cup wins takes on a side that has never lifted the trophy.

Barnoldswick have lifted it seven times but are looking for their first triumph since 1985, when they completed a run of four wins in five years.

Their first attempt to resurrect such glories comes tomorrow at Baxenden, who have never won the cup.

Both sides have made unconvincing starts to the season, as have Edenfield and Whalley, who meet at Gincroft Lane tomorrow.

Edenfield secured their first win of the season on Sunday, scoring 285-6 against Padiham, while Whalley were also boosted by their bowling performance against Blackburn Northern on Saturday, reducing them to 83-9 before rain intervened.

Great Harwood host Ribblesdale in the other tie, while byes for Clitheroe and Read guarantee them quarter-final places.