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Reigning Jennings Ribblesdale League champions Padiham have made a perfect start to the defence of their title by winning their opening four games.

But new skipper Andy McNicholas, hoping to emulate the success of predecessor Neil Anderson, doesn't expect it to be plain-sailing all the way.

``We nearly had a rude awakening on Sunday. It was a bit nail-biting but we just about got there,'' said McNicholas after last season's whipping boys Blackburn Northern fell just four runs short of a major upset.

And the Padiham captain believes retaining the championship could be harder than winning it.

``I have tried to impress that on everybody. It will be a lot more difficult to bowl sides out. I think Cherry Tree suffered from that,'' he added.

``We will try and win games and if we pick up bonus points that's all well and good.

``Obviously we are going to come a cropper at some point. You can't perform at your best all of the time and we will come across teams that will beat us.

``But it's about winning as many games as you can.''

Padiham, helped by contributions of 49, 80 and 101 from professional Mark Harvey in his three ininngs, have so far beaten Settle, Oswaldtwistle, Earby and Blackburn Northern to sit at the top of the table.

But McNicholas is anticipating a challenge from last season's pursuers Ribblesdale Wanderers, Clitheroe, Cherry Tree and Great Harwood. And he expects improved sides like Oswaldtwistle, Blackburn Northern and Baxenden to take their share of points from the leading clubs as he bids for his first championship as a captain having twice led Great Harwood to the runners-up spot before moving to the Arbories three years ago.

McNicholas has, however, captained a side to silverware with Harwood lifting the Ramsbottom Cup in 1995.

And Padiham begin their quest for similar glory on Saturday when they entertain Earby, looking to repeat their league win of last Saturday and avenge last season's cup defeat.

McNicholas, enjoying his early days as captain, added: ``Padiham haven't won the Cup for a lot of years. I don't know why that is but obviously the players would like to progress in that competition.

``The league is the priority but a few of the lads haven't been to a Final before and would like to do so.

``But Earby should benefit from having a couple of games under their belt. Their first two games had been washed out before they played us so I think they will be better equipped to give us a tougher game.''