THEY'VE had some real ding-dong battles in the past and Saturday's clash between Cup holders Great Harwood and League champions Padiham promises to be no different.

The two sides come face to face in the first round of the Vaux Ramsbottom Cup at Padiham - who have started off the stronger of the two sides.

But Harwood's captain Geoff Allen is vowing not to let go of the cup without a fight.

He said: "By the standards we set ourselves last season, we have started slowly. We know we are in for a tough game but we will be going all out to make sure it is us who go through to the next round."

Fixtures:

Vaux Ramsbottom Cup, first round, Saturday: Cherry Tree v Barnoldswick, Edenfield v Settle, Earby v Clitheroe, Blackburn N v Ribblesdale W, Whalley v Baxenden, Osw Immanuel v Read, Padiham v Gt Harwood.

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