Rob Quinn won the toss and entrusted the new ball to the teenage pairing of Michael Lee and Fergus Bailey.

Both were rewarded with a wicket each on debut, but Hargreaves and Abbas built a century partnership.

Ajmal Choudhry kept the Padiham batsmen in check, however, taking 4-50 as the home innings closed on 185 all out.

Dan Young (16) was unlucky to be caught by a fine running catch by Kenny Taylor, while Maj Iqbal was adjudged lbw for 17.

The innings, however, was built around Choudhry, and although Joe Martin (13) and Nathan Flynn (10) were both run out, Choudhry and Karim Khan seemed to be timing the reply, with just 23 wanted from five overs.

Karim was given out lbw for 22, and then Choudhry was dismissed for a fine 77, and new batsmen Quinn and Matt Walker struggled to break the field.

Nine runs were needed when Walker (6) was out with four balls left.

Bailey hit the first ball for four, but the next two were both scampered singles.

Three to win, with one ball left, and Bailey rocked back and launched the ball over deep square leg to earn 12 welcome points.

Although a young second team lost to Cherry Tree, there were moments of encouragement for skipper John Waite, with Nigel Robbins and Chris Kennedy in ominous form.

The visitors looked like posting a huge score, but his young men showed resilience to hit back and dismiss them for 201.

Immy Akhtar was the pick of the bowlers, and Danny Jenkins also picked up three wickets.

In reply, Danny Fish took three early wickets, but Akhtar (43) and valuable contributions from the lower order secured four bonus points in defeat.