RAMSBOTTOM Cup holders SETTLE made it over the first hurdle as they look to defend their title as they hammered BAXENDEN.

Last season's double winners had their pro Sajith Fernando to thank for a superb win. The former Sri Lanka A skipper blasted 116 in Settle's total 259-6.

But Baxenden's reply never got going as the Back Lane side were skittled for just 118 and gave Settle an easy 141-run win.

CLITHEROE'S paid man Shahid Nawaz was also a centurion as he led his side into the next round.

Nawaz hit 130 as Clitheroe beat Read by six wickets.

Earlier, last season's league young player of the year Will Driver hit 96 in Read's total of 196 for 8.

BARNOLDSWICK won the battle of the border as they beat their rivals EARBY by five wickets. Earby made 177 for 8 but the visitors were able to surpass the target with wickets in hand.

Senior League leaders Padiham put themselves in the hat for the next round with a high-scoring win over last season's runners-up Edenfield.

Padiham batted first and made a massive 273 for 3 thanks to 94 from paid man Kashif Siddique, 91 from U Siddique and 56 from Mick Hawke.

Edenfield made a spirited attempt to overhaul tat total but were bowled out for 227.

Cherry Tree pro Zahoor Elahi just can't stop scoring runs and he helped his side win through against Blackburn Northern.

After making 195 in his first two league knocks, the Pakistani star hit 92 with Lee Kennedy making the same score as they posted 258 for 6.

But Robert Ince took 5-35 as Northern were skittled for 133.

In the other tie of the afternoon, Whalley overcame Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Immanuel made 115-9, thanks to a half-century from skipper Gerard Metcalf but Whalley made the target for the loss of five wickets.