Settle were narrowly beaten by a competent Whalley outfit in the first round of the Ramsbottom Cup on Saturday.

Water had seeped under the covers at one end and batters failed to come to terms with the two paced track.

The best of the struggling Settle batsmen new Raj Amunugama on 28 young Eddie Read who hit a solid 24.

A total of 131 was never going to be enough, although after a stunning outfield catch by Preston, Settle were in the driving seat with Whalley at 80-4 and the tail padded up.

Whalley's batters Mark Fallon (46 not out) and Richard Palmer (24 not out) applied themselves to the conditions and situation to steer their side home.

"Those two showed the rest how to bat. They nudged and pushed and took no risks. Our lads have got to apply themselves. It's as simple as that," said skipper Andrew Davidson.

"Apart from young Eddie Read our top six are just not functioning and you cant win games when your four down for little. We are looking to the top four for a good start and its just not happening.

"We are playing too many shots too early and the lead has to be taken by the top four, who are experienced and talented batters. So the problem is a mental one and nothing whatsoever to do with ability or technique.

"Our best two performers over the past two weeks have been our two 16-year-old lads Eddie Read and Tom Davidson. They show a high level of skill, but have a passion and a winners mentality. I want to see that from a few more in the team.

"We are in transition that is for sure, but we should be performing better with the bat than we are."

Settle are back in league action this weekend when they are away to Read on Saturday.

Earby will be moving their professional Ali Azmat back down the order after he scored just 18 runs in the Applegarth's side home defeat to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel in the Ramsbottom Cup on Saturday.

Earby's opponents, who they easily beat in the league last week, were led by their pro Ahmer Saeed who gave a solid performance with both the bat and ball.

Saeed scored 72 to lead Oswaldtwistle to a total of 164 all out. Azmat (3-16) and Chris Walton (3-13) were the pick of the Earby bowlers.

In reply Earby disappointed with the bat, crashing to a total of 150 all out. They were led by a knock of 29 by Nigel Hodge and a solid 28 by Sam Munns, who made his first start for Earby following his football commitments.

Andrew Metcalf (2-22) and Saeed (2-24) were the pick of the Oswaldtwistle bowlers.

Earby captain Stephen Hipgrave said: "We bowled all right but just didn't bat well.

"We batted in the rain and it slowed down the outfield. Balls that were going to the boundary in the first innings weren't doing so when we batted."

Hipgrave also said that Azmat will be moved back down to the number three or four spot in the batting order.

"I don't think we'll open with him again because if you lose your professional early the other team are on a high."

This weekend Earby have two home fixtures, in the league against third placed Padiham on Saturday and against Liverpool team Wavertree in the Lancashire Knock-out Cup on Sunday.

Earby's fifth place finish last season was good enough to get them into the cup this year. A good run of results sees the top two teams play in the final at Old Trafford.

Hipgrave said it has been 30 to 35 years since Earby had a good run in the competition. Their best result was reaching the semi-finals.

Barnoldswick are also in action when they host Blackburn Northern at Victory Park on Saturday.