CHERRY Tree are odds on favourites to lift the Jennings Ramsbototm Cup, but must wait until tonight to secure the trophy.

The game was interrupted by heavy rain but Gary Bolton scored 58 setting the Blackburn club on course for a total of 191-8.

Kevin Reed added 39 not out and his brother Paul chipped in with 24.

Settle were 64-3 when bad light stopped play last night with Nigel Robbins taking the wickets of openers Andrew Davidson and Tom Canaway with consecutive balls.

Although Cherry Tree look home and dry Settle still have plenty of big-hitting batsmen to come and there maybe a twist in the tail at Read tonight.

The game restarts at 6pm.

In the league, top clubs Barnoldswick and Cherry Tree both lost, throwing the race for the championship wide open.

Earby professional Alex Scholefield top scored with 77 as Earby set a target of 193-9 and Paul Reed scored 49 not out in reply but Earby won by 46 runs.

Read took the honours against Edenfield with professional Akram Raza scoring 69 not out as they secured a four wicket victory.

Barnoldswick were shot out for 140 by Padiham who had earlier piled on the runs to reach 247-7.

Settle are also enjoying a good run in the league and beat Ribblesdale Wanderers by 21 runs with Mark Verden scoring 75 before professional Stuart Hornby picked up six wickets for 65 runs.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel won the bottom of the table clash against Baxenden with their professional Rob Ashton scoring 79 not out. Earlier Baxenden pro Jonathan Harvey had scored 61.

Blackburn Northern professional Atta-Ur-Rheman scored 87 but could not save his side after Neil Cordingley had blasted 106 not out as Whalley reached 252-6.

Dexter Fitton led Clitheroe to victory over Great Harwood scoring 84 in their total of 185-5 and Mark Hargreaves then stepped up to take 6-40 as Harwood were dismissed for 118.

RESULTS: Blackburn N 185-8 (0), Whalley 252-6 (5); Clitheroe 185-6 (7), Gt Harwood 118 (0); Earby 193-9 (5), Cherry Tree 146-9 (0); Edenfield 105 (0), Read 106-6 (7); Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 160-2 (5), Baxenden 159-5 (0); Padiham 247-7 (7), Barnoldswick 140 (0); Settle 151-8 (7), Ribblesdale Wanderers 130 (0).

SENIOR DIVISION

P W L T Bp Nr Pts

Barnoldswick... 21 12 4 0 12 5 82

Cherry Tree... 21 10 5 1 18 5 81

Read... 21 11 4 0 12 6 79

Earby... 21 12 6 0 12 3 78

Settle... 21 10 8 0 16 3 72

Padiham... 21 9 6 0 12 6 69

Ribb Wand... 21 7 9 0 18 5 63

Clitheroe... 21 8 9 0 14 4 62

Gt Harwood... 21 8 9 1 10 3 59

Whalley... 21 7 9 0 6 5 51

Osw Imm... 21 4 9 0 8 8 44

Baxenden... 21 4 10 0 8 7 42

Blackburn N... 21 4 11 0 8 6 40

Edenfield... 21 4 11 0 8 6 40

ODDS-ON FAVOURITES: Cherry Tree's Kevin Reed helps his side to 191-8