Former Bacup star Paul Gallagher made a superb debut for Edenfield on an opening day of outstanding performances in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League.

The brilliant Gallagher, one of the Lancashire League’s leading amateurs, smashed an early contender for highest innings of the season with a brilliant unbeaten 185 for Edenfield against Settle.

His 145 ball knock included 23 boundaries and six sixes as Edenfield posted 271-7.

Pro Chris Read then claimed seven wickets as the Gincroft Lane outfit won by 97 runs.

However, there were several other excellent individual contributions to rival Gallagher’s eighth highest innings in the history of the league.

Stuart Hornby, who enjoyed seven seasons at Settle, is back in the Ribblesdale League after his spell as pro at Edgerton.

And Hornby made an immediate impact for title favourites Read in a comprehensive victory over Great Harwood, who themselves are fancied to press this year.

He claimed 8-39 as the visitors were bowled out for 92 and then hit 62 not out as Read strolled home by 10 wickets.

Church pro Saeed Anwar filled in for Barnoldswick and scored 84 and then claimed four wickets as the Victory Park side beat Padiham by 63 runs.

Baxenden, champions in 2009, overwhelmed Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, who were dismissed for just 33 as they chased Bash’s 136 all out at New Lane.

Baber Naeem claimed 6-13 and Lewis McIntosh 4-16 for the visitors as Ossie never recovered from losing professional Chris Cook-Martin to his third ball.

Immanuel’s Imran Abid had earlier claimed 7-37 as Bash were restricted to what appeared to be a below par score.

Martin Davies made 69 and professional Kamran Younas claimed 5-32 as Whalley opened up with a derby win over Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Davies led the way with the bat but there were also good contributions from Lee Kearsley (35) and skipper Richard Palmer (27 from 25 balls) as Whalley posted 168-5 from their 45 overs.

With Younas magnificent with the ball from one end Wanderers struggled in their chase and with Simon Gorton claiming three wickets and Dave O'Neill two they were all out for 120.

Cherry Tree were well beaten at Earby.

Cherry were 3-3 at one stage before being bowled out for 82 – and Earby cantered home with six wickets in hand.