TROUBLED Padiham will not appeal against a £50 fine from the Ribblesdale League after a fresh two-game ban for skipper Pankaj Tripathi.

The Padiham captain serves the last of a four-game suspension at Edenfield tomorrow. But he will be eligible for Sunday's LCA knockout tie against Northern League side Kendal.

"We had a meeting about the ban and decided to accept the fine," confirmed Padiham spokesman Keith Clayton.

"It was unfortunate what happened but hopefully that is the end of the matter now."

Tripathi was disciplined by the Ribblesdale League after comments made to a local newspaper about the two umpires involved in the Padiham versus Blackburn Northern fixture on April 20. Meanwhile, the 1995 champions turn their attentions to far more pressing matters tomorrow when they go in search of league points at Gincroft Lane. With just two wins under their belts this season, Padiham will be looking for a change of fortunes.

Cherry Tree probably face the toughest task of the day as they lock horns with leaders Read and in-form Shahid Nawaz at Whalley Road.

Read have signed John Longdden, who quit Church this week amidst unrest following a rumpus at Rishton, but he will not be available for selection until next week.

Read spokesman Wilf Woodhouse said: "He has signed for us but no-one is guaranteed a first team place at this club."

Barnoldswick are making a charge in second place after James Peterson's 135 saw them close the gap on the leaders with a thumping seven point victory over Whalley last weekend.

They go to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel whose skipper Martin Heys misses the fixture with a broken finger, his second such injury in three weeks.

Fixtures: Baxenden v Blackburn N, Clitheroe v Settle, Earby v Ribblesdale W, Edenfield v Padiham, Osw Immanuel v Barnoldswick, Read v Cherry Tree, Whalley v Great Harwood.

DARWEN Cricket Club are at home to Fleetwood tomorrow, Chris Lowe replacing Michael Douglas. On Sunday the seconds take on Kendal, also at Birch Hall, in the semi-final of the Blackledge Trophy, starting at 2pm.

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