BURNLEY were the inaugural winners of the Ribblesdale League's floodlit competition at Read last night.

The host club couldn't repeat their feat of Tuesday night when they beat a Lancashire League team to get to the final.

After overcoming Nelson in the semi-final, Read came up against neighbours Burnley and found them a very different proposition.

Andy McLeod hit 96 as Burnley, who beat Great Harwood on Wednesday to reach the final, racked up 281 in their innings.

Once pro Peter Sleep was out for a duck, Read were never going to get near the total and they collapsed to 130 all out.

But the competition, held under the glare of temporary floodlights at Whalley Road, is set to become an annual event.

Blackburn firm Vernon's Stainless Steel sponsored the event and their owner John Vernon confirmed that next year he would fund it again.

Read chairman Wilf Woodhouse said: "It was a fantastic evening and we had a very, very large crowd.

"Even though the game finished after 11pm, 95 per cent of them stayed until the end and that shows what a success the event has been.

"Everybody at Read is delighted that John Vernon said he would sponsor it again."

Read were denied the chance to stage a dress rehearsal for Sunday's Ramsbottom Cup final when Burnley prevented Great Harwood getting to the floodlit final.

But the two top teams in the Ribblesdale League will meet at Padiham on Sunday in the league's showpiece event, which starts at 1pm.

Tomorrow, leaders Read go to Settle and second placed Great Harwood visit in-form Edenfield.