PADIHAM skipper Andy McNicholas is planning to exact revenge on Earby for last week's demoralising league defeat when the two clubs cross swords again in the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup tomorrow.

McNicholas and his Padiham team-mates were left reeling last Saturday when the Applegarth club sent them crashing to defeat in a last over thriller.

But, clearly fired up by that loss, the men from the Arbories now have an ideal opportunity to get their own back -- and McNicholas is itching to grab it with both hands.

"That result was difficult to take," said the Padiham skipper.

"We had a couple of chances to win the game but didn't take them and ended up paying the price.

"All the lads were disappointed in the dressing room afterwards because we've suffered a couple of set-backs in the last few weeks.

"But that's gone now and what better way to bounce back than by booking a place in the semi-finals of the cup?"

McNicholas has happy memories of this particular competition after being part of the Great Harwood side who won the cup during the mid-90s.

But none of his Padiham team-mates have ever tasted similar success and McNicholas is eager to impress upon his charges exactly what lifting the trophy means.

"It's just a great experience," said the Arbories skipper. "A few of our lads have played in a final before but no-one has actually won it.

"So I've been trying to encourage them by telling them just what a great day it is.

"It's something you'll never forget, especially if you finish up on the winning team.

"And, if we put our minds to it, then there's no reason why we can't add our names to the list."

After what happened last week, though, McNicholas knows his men need to be on their mettle against a fast-improving Earby side.

Last week's win provided further evidence that one of the pre-season favourites for the league title are starting to click into top gear.

They booked their place in the last eight after dumping table-topping Read out of the competition in the previous round.

And McNicholas is all too aware that they can be a dangerous animal on their day.

"We always tend to have good games against Earby," said McNicholas.

"They beat us in either the semis or the quarter finals at our place a couple of years ago and we always seem to have high-scoring encounters against them.

"So they're a good, competitive side and it could go either way.

"But we've got nothing to fear. "Our pro, Faheem Fazal, has fitted in well and we're all delighted with the contribution he's making.

"He's as keen as mustard and wants to win every game on his own.

"We knew about his ability as a bowler and we were also aware that he could strike a ball, too.

"But even we've been surprised at just how good a batsman he is.

"It's not all about one player, though. All eleven of us have got to perform if we want to be successful."

Of the three remaining ties, Great Harwood will start off as slight favourites against Clitheroe after crushing Oswaldtwistle Immanuel by 237 runs in the first round.

Rock-bottom Whalley will welcome a break from league action when they take on Ribblesdale Wanderers at Station Road.

And Settle and Barnoldswick, who were both given byes in the last round, meet at Marshfield.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Padiham v Earby, Settle v Barnoldswick, Whalley v Ribblesdale Wanderers, Clitheroe v Great Harwood.