IT was a Saturday of shocks in the Jennings Ribblesdale League as top two Barnoldswick and Read both suffered defeats leaving defending champions Cherry Tree free to charge into top spot.

Barnoldswick have rarely slipped out of pole position this summer but fellow title contenders Settle did the damage as the third placed side celebrated a two wicket win.

Settle skipper Andy Davidson had said the return of former Lancashire player Paul Ridgway had boosted his side this season and he proved the hero of the clash at Victory Park taking 6-33 and then hitting 28 not out.

Barlick set a target of 101-9, Matthew Nutter scoring 53 but Ridgway's performance ensured that Settle remain in a strong position in the title hunt.

Read were hindered in their quest for the crown by Padiham in a high scoring game at Whalley Road.

Padiham, who harbour their own hopes of clinching the title, amassed a massive 258-6, thanks to a fourth wicket partnership of 161 between Quasim Ali, who finished just four runs short of a century, and a 62 from Lee Childs.

Read needed some big hits and although Joey Marshall (76) and Craig Walton (54) had a go, they fell 29 runs short.

So that left the way free for Cherry Tree who beat Edenfield by 69 runs.

Chris Riley was the star for Cherry Tree with the bat, hitting 92 in their 205-6, while, with the bowl, Lee Kennedy took 4-17 as Edenfield were skittled out for 138.

Earby are in sixth place after they beat Whalley by 23 runs.

They set the Station Road side a target of 166-6, Alex Scholefield making the big impact with an unbeaten 78.

Trevor Kegg took 3-35 and Andrew Jaggers 2-37 were handy with the ball, helping Earby to the win.

Stuart Maher was the main wicket-taker on the day, with eight scalps, as Great Harwood defeated Blackburn Northern by seven wickets.

Starman Maher took 8-36 to restrict Blackburn Northern to 151-9.

Harwood's Paul Houldsworth, the skipper last season, then hit an unbeaten 80 for the home side.

There was more joy at improving Oswaldtwistle Immanuel as the bottom club chalked up their second win of the season by just 14 runs against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Ossie were bowled out for 158, Ian Britcliff taking 4-39 and Dave Howard 4-38 for Wanderers.

Although Wanderers pro Shahid Nawaz amassed 66, Oswaldtwistle's skipper Gerard Metcalf celebrated success with the bowl, taking 5-26 and professional Rob Ashton chipped in with 4-32 to help them to victory.

And seventh placed Clitheroe are closing the gap on the top six with a 49 run win over Baxenden.

Stephen Bishop hit 79 in their 231-7 and then Neil Bibby took 5-50 to restrict Baxenden to182, Mark Rishton hitting 44.

RESULTS: Barnoldswick (Opts) 101-9 Settle (7pts) 102-8; Baxenden (0pts) 182 Clitheroe (7pts) 231-7; Cherry Tree (7pts) 207-6 Edenfield (0pts) 138; Great Harwood (5pts) 153-3 Blackburn N (0pts) 151-9; Oswaldtwistle Immanuel (7pts)158 Ribblesdale Wanderers (2pts) 144; Read (0pts) 229 Padiham (7pts) 258-6; Whalley (0pts) 143-8 Earby (5pts) 166-6

P W T L Nr BP Pt

Cherry Tree... 15 8 0 3 4 14 62

Barlick... 15 9 0 3 3 8 59

Settle... 15 9 0 5 1 12 59

Read... 15 9 0 3 3 8 59

Padiham... 15 7 0 4 4 8 53

Earby... 15 8 0 6 1 10 52

Clitheroe... 15 6 0 6 3 10 46

Ribb Wand... 15 5 0 7 3 14 45

Gt Harwood... 15 6 0 7 2 6 40

Black North... 15 4 0 7 4 6 34

Whalley... 15 4 0 7 4 4 32

Edenfield... 15 2 0 8 5 6 26

Baxenden... 15 2 0 8 5 6 26

Oswaldtw... 15 2 0 8 5 4 24