AUSSIE professional Andrew Crook led a batting blitz as Great Harwood ripped up the batting records in the Veka Ribblesdale League.

The 23-year-old blasted Padiham's bowling attack to all parts of the ground as he raced to 126 and he was backed up by an innings of 80 from Russell Whalley with Paul Holdsworth adding 50 as the runs continued to flow.

Their total of 333-4 eclipsed the previous senior league record of 319-3 set by Cherry Tree against Ribblesdale Wanderers in 1995 and set up a 211-run victory as Padiham were dismissed for 122.

Read continued their unbeaten run at the top of the table with and 87-run win over Clitheroe.

The top club were without several of their big guns, but skipper Warren Eastham scored 87 and Terry Little added 47 as they set a target of 226-6. Eastham then took four wickets as Clitheroe were dismissed for 139.

Settle kept up their chase with a six-wicket win over Cherry Tree with Stuart Hornby taking 5-54 and professional Robin Morris picking up four wickets before scoring 55 not out to see the Dales side to maximum points.

Barnoldswick took the honours against Ribblesdale Wanderers despite a seven-wicket haul for David Howard. Michael Lord scored 74 as Barnoldswick reached 191-9 and Mick Scothern took 6-51 as Wanderers were restricted to 170-8.

Opener Sam Munns continued his good form, scoring 63 as Earby reached 198-7 against Edenfield. The home club were then dismissed for 128.

Whalley collapsed to 77 all out with Gerrard Metcalfe taking six wickets for 24 runs before Oswaldtwistle cruised to an eight-wicket win.

Mark Rishton scored 64 not out for Baxenden, but their total of 138-3 was not enough against Blackburn Northern. Abdul Bisoodwal top scored for Northern with 40 as they secured a two-wicket win despite Pete Usher taking 6-39.

Scores: Barnoldswick 191-9 (5 points), Ribblesdale Wanderers 170-8 (0); Baxenden 138-3 (5), Blackburn Northern 135-8 (0); Cherry Tree 122 (0), Settle 124-4 (7); Clitheroe 139 (0), Read 226-6 (7); Edenfield 128 (0), Earby 198-7 (7); Padiham 122 (0), Great Harwood 333-4 (7); Whalley 77 (0), Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 79-2 (7).