MERANNGE Fernando fell just four runs short of his century but his one man show was good enough to secure victory for Oswaldwistle Immanuel in the opening round of matches in the new look Ramsbottom Cup.

The professional struck 15 fours and two sixes in a fine innings to seal a 34-run win over Whalley at Station Road in Group Three.

Fernando was the only Oswaldtwistle batsman to trouble Whalley with opener Andrew Metcalfe (14) and Daniel Metcalfe (13) the only other two players to manage double figures.

Also in Group Three, Baxenden hosted junior club Burnley Belvedere.

Bash posted an excellent 263-4, with a century from Matt Griffin. The hosts then bowled out Belvedere for 122 to give them a comfortable win.

In Group One, Brinscall got off to a winning start with opener Brodie Whitbourne scoring 113 as they chased down Stacksteads’ total to win with seven balls to spare.

And Read enjoyed victory over Salesbury with Ben Gorton scoring an unbeaten 58.

Brendon Louw lay the foundations for Ribblesdale Wanderers as his knock of 69 helped secure an 85 run victory over Earby in Group Two.

Louw was the pick of the Wanderers batsmen with Bilal Ahmed (33) and Alistair March (29) making decent contributions.

In reply, Earby were bowled out for 103 with Ian Britcliffe (3-17) and Bernard Vorster (3-17) doing the damage for Wanderers.

Also in Group Two Barnoldswick enjoyed a 98 run win at Settle thanks to a superb knock of 112 from Abdul Saddique while Shashrika Pussegolla finished unbeaten on 97.

Thomas Strickland was the pick of the Settle batsmen, scoring 44 as Saddique and Pussegolla each took three wickets to seal the win for Barlick.

In Group Four, Padiham beat Feniscowles at the Arbories Memorial Ground despite an unbeaten knock off 124 by the visitors’ Anneq Hassan.

But the collective efforts of Brady Barends (72), Callum Clarke (48) and Nathan Whitehead (36) saw Padiham seal victory.

Also in Group Four, Mark Hadfield (80) and Tristan Van Ingen-Kal (76) helped Cherry Tree to victory at Euxton.