MEL Gillibrand led Blackburn Northern to an opening day victory over neighbours Cherry Tree in the Jennings Ribblesdale League.

The Northern veteran scored 54 and the club's Pakistani professional Ata Ur-Rehman earlier took 4-62 as Cherry Tree were dismissed for 156-7.

Great Harwood secured victory over Baxenden despite losing several top performers during the close season.

They set a target of 177-8 with Phillip Allen top scoring on 46. Baxenden pro Jonathan Harvey took 4-36 but his side could only reach 123-8 in reply with Paul Newton taking 4-34.

Barnoldswick are looking forward to a better season after securing a nine wicket win over Edenfield. The Victory Park club dismissed the visitors for 135-9 with Michael Scothern and Paul Beech taking four wickets each. Matthew Nutter scored 62 in the reply.

Settle hit form with a two wicket victory over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel with professional Stuart Hornby taking 4-47. Rob Ashton scored 46 for Oswaldtwistle.

After a slow start Earby captain Ian Clarkson opened up to score 92 not out and rescue his side's innings.

They finished on 213-6, but Read secured a four wicket win. Craig Walton, who had left Earby, scored 40 and Andrew Turner added 46 in his first season with the Read club.

John Hartley rattled up 62 for Padiham but Ribblesdale professional Shahid Nawaz captured 7-43 and went on to score 55 with the bat as Ribblesdale Wanderers secured a five wicket win.

Whalley upset neighbours Clitheroe with an impressive six wicket victory.

Their professional Neil Cordingley scored 75 not out to lead them to the win after Clitheroe professional Dexter Fitton scored 67 and their captain Neil Bolton added 61.

Results: Barnoldswick 138-1 (5) Edenfield 134-9 (0); Cherry Tree 156-7 (0) Blackburn Northern 157-4 (5); Great Harwood 177-8 (5) Baxenden 123-8 (0); Oswaldtwistle Imm 133 (0) Settle 134-8 (7); Read 214-6 (5) Earby 213-6 (0); Ribblesdale Wdrs 171-5 (7) Padiham 167 (0); Whalley 186-4 (5) Clitheroe 182-7 (0).

SENIOR DIVISION

P W Bp Nr Pts

Ribblesdale W... 1 1 0 2 0 7

Settle... 1 1 0 2 0 7

Barnoldswick... 1 1 0 0 0 5

Blackburn N... 1 1 0 0 0 5

Gt Harwood... 1 1 0 0 0 5

Read... 1 1 0 0 0 5

Whalley... 1 1 0 0 0 5

Baxenden... 1 0 1 0 0 0

Cherry Tree... 1 0 1 0 0 0

Clitheroe... 1 0 1 0 0 0

Earby... 1 0 1 0 0 0

Edenfield... 1 0 1 0 0 0

Oswaldtwistle Imm... 1 0 1 0 0 0

Padiham... 1 0 1 0 0 0