It's local derby time this weekend as rivals Great Harwood look to end Baxenden’s unbeaten start to the season.

And Harwood will need to bounce back after exiting the Ramsbottom Cup to big hitting Padiham at the first round stage last weekend.

"It’s a massive game for us and one we always look forward to," said Harwood bowler Stuart Maher of tomorrow’s Cliffe Park clash. "Baxenden are the champions and probably will be again this season as they haven’t changed their side and are really strong.

"We have had a sluggish start to the season with just one win and we need to kick start our season and there would be no better way than defeating our local rivals.

"We didn’t play well against Padiham but we have had a meeting and we know where we went wrong and hopefully we can put it right tomorrow.

"The only good thing about the Padiham game was that the pro got his first century of the season and he can go forwards from that.

"We know we will have to stop Ian Austin against Baxenden but we know what he is all about. He will be missing his mate Russell Whalley to have their usual banter with but at least the combined weight will be less on the pitch! We need to get going though and hopefully we can start this weekend."

Unfortunately for Harwood they caught big hitting Padiham in top form and the Arbories side are claiming a place in the record books after a run feast over Paul Allen’s boys.

Padiham’s total of 382-5 from 48 overs is believed to be the highest score in the history of the competition.

Indeed, if verified, it would be the greatest total in either league or cup improving their own senior division score of 355-8 against Ribblesdale Wanderers three years ago.

And the aggregate of 602 runs has been only topped once before when Cherry Tree (349-6) and Earby (284 amassed 633 in a 90 overs cup match in 1990.

The star of the show was Kashif Siddique with 185 off 116 balls including 19 boundaries and 11 sixes. Harwood’s bowlers had a tough time of it as Siddique received support from Abdul Saddique (53) and Umar Siddique (66). Pro Raouf Akbar had the best figures of 2-58.

Padiham’s total was always going to be too high for Harwood but they made a fight of it with Akbar smashing 105 off 84 balls including nine boundaries and six sixes.

But no one could last with him for long with Matthew Howarth (32) and Jason Kayley (30) with the next best scores. Harwood made 222 - which would probably have won most other matches but, in this, they finished 162 runs short.

In contrast, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel booked a quarter-final against holders Baxenden with four balls to spare against Barnoldswick.

Barnoldswick made 202 with Andrew Metcalf and Gerard Metcalf taking two wickets each, Andrew in particular keeping it tight with three maiden overs.

Immanuel were 3-1 and 90-5 but Nick Payne’s 55 off 62 balls proved vital in the final countdown.

Leaders Baxenden defeated Earby by five wickets thanks to an all-round display by captain Austin.

The former Lancashire star took 4-13 from 10 overs to restrict the home side to 152-9. Then he and Danny Hothersall struck half centuries to guide the favourites into the next round.

The second rounds of the Ramsbottom and Lawrenson Cups will be played on June 20 while Edenfield host the final on August 1.