CHERRY Tree clinched the Jennings Ribblesdale League title on a nailbiting last day of the season.

Cup champions Great Harwood had been poised to steal the show if Cherry Tree slipped up and Harwood posted their intentions early in the day.

Gordon Simpson took 6-19 as Edenfield were shot out for 51 and Daniel Cheesbrough scored the winning runs in his last game for Great Harwood as they secured an eight wicket win. Next season Cheesbrough is planning to play in the Central Yorks League.

They were then left to hang on throughout the day as Cherry Tree did battle with third placed Baxenden.

The top club set a target of 185-7 with professional Naeem Ashraf scoring 54 as James Capstick took 6-64.

Baxenden were not going to let them have the title without a fight and Jonathan Harvey scored a rapid half century, but then the required run rate slowly mounted.

"Liam Bones hit his first ball into the canal for a six and it was only when Michael Veevers took a brilliant catch to dismiss him that we were confident of winning the match and taking the title," said Cherry Tree skipper David Hayes.

Long time leaders Read have struggled with their end of season form and Barnoldswick added insult to injury by claiming victory. Read scored 170-9 with Terry Little reaching his half century as Michael Scothern took 5-40. Victory Park professional Raja Arshad scored 58 and Ian Scothern 45 not out as they secured a four wicket win.

Blackburn Northern finished level with Read but also failed on the last day. Earby professional Alex Scholefield signed off with 6-40 as Northern were dismissed for 108. Earby secured a five wicket victory with Andrew Jaggers on 47 not out.

Oswaldtwistle professional Will Carr wrapped up his season with eight wickets for just 20 runs as Ribblesdale Wanderers were dismissed for 69 but Ossy then crumbled to 57 all out with Dave Howard taking 9-31.

Settle rattled up a total of 222-7 with Mark Verden scoring 89. The Dalesmen then saw Padiham reach a five wicket win with Quasim Ali on 54 not out.

Clitheroe were dismissed for 102 by neighbours Whalley but they could only reach 70 as Clitheroe professional Dexter Fitton picked up three wickets for four runs in just five overs and David O'Neill took 4-23.

Results: Barnoldswick 171-6 (5), Read 170-9 (0); Blackburn Northern (108 (0), Earby 109-5 (7); Cherry Tree 185-7 (5), Baxenden 161-8 (0); Gt Harwood 53-2 (7), Edenfield 51 (0); Oswaldtwistle 57 (2), Ribblesdale Wanderers 69-(7); Padiham 223-5 (5), Settle 222-7 (0); Whalley 70 (2), Clitheroe 102 (7).

LEAGUE TABLE

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Cherry Tree... 26 16 5 18 5 108

Gt Harwood... 26 16 5 16 5 106

Baxenden... 26 12 8 18 6 90

Read... 26 12 7 14 7 88

Blackburn N... 26 12 8 16 6 88

Padiham... 26 11 11 16 4 79

Earby... 26 10 11 18 5 78

Clitheroe... 26 10 11 16 5 76

Settle... 26 9 11 18 6 75

Barnoldswick... 26 11 12 12 3 73

Ribb Wand... 26 9 12 10 5 65

Whalley... 26 7 13 8 6 55

Oswaldtwistle... 26 5 17 18 4 53

Edenfield... 26 6 15 10 5 50