Robinson chasing repeat victory

Padiham bowled Read out for 142 in the league last Saturday, as Nathan Whitehead took 4-42, and the Arbories men knocked off the runs with six down, Brady Barends with 50 seeing them home.

Captain Kurt Robinson is aiming for a repeat: “It was a big win last Saturday, it was a great team performance.

“It’s a tight ground and teams can get away from you, but we bowled well and everyone chipped in with the bat, with Brady making 50.

“It was the first time in eight years we have beaten them, and hopefully we can do it again in the 20/20.

“It’s a competition we want to progress in, and get to the finals day, which is always a good day out.”

Barends also hit a half century on Sunday at Whalley, but Padiham fell 52 runs short against the hosts, though Robinson was pleased with his team: “Whalley posted a big score, and they have a big pitch, so they spread out the field with scoreboard pressure.

“We gave it a good go but just fell short – we’re the type of team that will die trying, and went after it, but couldn’t quite get there.”

That was the last fixture before the Ribblesdale League reverts to Sections A and B, with Padiham looking to return to the top flight: “Promotion has to be the aim/ The way we look at it, any points we get against Section A teams are a bonus, and we look to win all our games in Section B.”

One of those comes tomorrow at home to Barnoldswick, with former Padiham men Abdul and Umar Saddique the dangermen for the opposition.

Read bounced back from defeat to Padiham with a win over Ribblesdale Wanderers on Sunday, with Ravid Jangid hitting 107.

Kyle O’Connor’s side travel to Great Harwood today.