TERRY Little was the big hero as Read beat Great Harwood to lift the Ramsbottom Cup for the sixth time.

Little stroked a classy century to lead his side to victory in the final at Padiham Cricket Club - and put the current Ribblesdale League champions on course for the league and cup double.

Young Lancashire talent Oliver Newby hit the winning runs as Read tied it up with 10 balls to spare.

Great Harwood set a target of 272 on a good batting track, with professional Andy Crook leading the way with 70. He hit seven fours and two sixes, and was well supported by fellow opener Alan Armer, who hit eleven boundaries on his way to a useful 61.

Russell Whalley added a valuable half-century, and the middle order chipped in with Andy McNicolas, Ian Haworth, Liam Deasey and Paul Newton all making double figure contributions.

Experienced Read professional Peter Sleep was the pick of the bowlers, taking two for 39 from his 10-over spell.

It may have been a big target, but Read openers Little and Nick Marsh built the foundations for cup victory.

Little frustrated the Harwood attack, settling at the crease for 138 minutes, and producing a knock which included 12 fours and three sixes. Marsh was just as productive, hitting 78 from 71 balls, and by the time Whalley had sent his bails flying, the damage had been done.

Little waited an age on 99, but received a great ovation when the single came to reach his ton. Minutes later, he edged to wicketkeeper Armer to give Harwood hope.

Wily old campaigner Sleep steadied the ship though with a fine 30 before he was dismissed in the most bizarre of circumstances.

With the score on 270 - and three runs needed for victory, Sleep hit what he thought was a four, and stood in the middle of the pitch celebrating. Russ Whalley though had stopped the ball crossing the rope, threw it back to the keeper, and Sleep was run out while he was still hugging his team-mate. The Aussie claimed he saw the umpire signal four.

It was not to matter though as Read knocked off the runs to claim the trophy, which they last won three years ago.

Little was named man of the match, and a record gate receipt of more than £600 was taken.

GREAT HARWOOD

Crook c Turner b Walton... 70

A Armer c Bennett b Walton... 61

R Whalley c Marshall b Eastham... 53

P Houldsworth b Eastham... 7

A McNicolas c Walton b Newby... 10

I Howarth c Payne b Sleep... 18

M Howarth run out... 0

L Deasey not out... 13

P Newton st Payne b Sleep... 17

Extras... 23

Total (for 8 wkts)... 272

Bowling: O Newby 10-1-48-1; Sleep 10-2-39-2; A Bennett 8-0-50-0; W Eastham 10-0-60-2; C Walton 10-1-57-2.

READ

T Little c Armer b Maher... 100

N Marsh b Whalley... 78

Sleep run out... 30

C Walton c Crook b Simpson... 13

W Eastam lbw b Crook... 11

M Whalley b Simpson... 10

A Turner not out... 0

O Newby not out... 4

Extras... 29

Total (for 6 wkts, 46.2 overs)... 275

Bowling: S Maher 10-2-32-1; G Simpson 8-0-68-0; R Whalley 10-1-36-1; Crook 9.2-0-51-1; I Howarth 3-0-25-0; P Newton 5-0-27-0; M Howarth 1-0-14-0.