PAUL Beech looked to be on his way to a big score as Barnoldswick faced Blackburn Northern in the Jennings Ribblesdale League on Saturday.

The former professional was going strongly on 57 not out when rain, which swept across the district, put an end to the game.

The Victory Park club's professional Raja Arshad had earlier scored 83 and his side was on 194-3 with five overs to go when the match was brought to a halt.

All other games in the league suffered a similar fate and the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup due to be played on Sunday was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

It is now expected to be played on September 2.

Dexter Fitton was also in the runs scoring 69 as Clitheroe romped to 154-7 in 42 overs against Great Harwood.

Andy Burns scored a half century as Gordon Simpson took 3-43.

Padiham's Umar Saddique scored 61 not out against league leaders Cherry Tree as his side reached 153-8 before the rain struck.

Title challengers Read looked to be on their way to a vital victory over Baxenden after professional Akram Raza reduced them to 114 as he took six wickets for 47 runs.

It was all in vain as Read were unable to get back on the field.

John Raine scored 52 as Ribblesdale Wanderers reached 156-6 against Edenfield.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel's impressive Australian professional Will Carr took 4-42 as Settle reached 108-5 before the weather struck.

Glyn Sedman took 5-12 as he warmed up for the cup final against Whalley who were dismissed for 98, but there was no further play. Results Senior Division: Barnoldswick 194-3, Blackburn N did not bat; Clitheroe 154-7, Great Harwood dnb; Padiham 153-8, Cherry Tree dnb; Read dnb, Baxenden 114; Ribblesdale Wanderers 156-6, Edenfield dnb; Settle 108-5, Oswaldtwistle Imm dnb; Whalley 98, Earby dnb. All games two points each.

Division One: Burnley GSOB 137-3, Ribblesdale Wanderers 135 (Burnley GSOB won by seven wickets); Burnley Belvedere dnb, Read 108 (no result -rain); Cherry Tree dnb, Padiham 78-7 (no result -rain); Gt Harwood 87, Clitheroe 170-6 (Clitheroe won by 83 runs); Old Rossendalians 100-4, Barnoldswick 130-8 (Old Ross won on run-rate); Salesbury 153-9; Rolls Royce dnb (no result -rain)

Division Two: Baxenden 203, Burnley Belvedere 138 (Baxenden won by 65 runs); Blackburn Northern 110, Burnley GSOB (dnb) No result rain; Earby dnb Whalley 86-8 (no result rain); Edenfield 102-8, Stacksteads 243-8 dec (Stacksteads won on run rate); Oswaldtwsitle 117-8, Settle 113-9 (Oswaldtwistle won by two wickets), Rolls Royce 107, salebury dnb (no result rain)

SENIOR DIVISION

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Cherry Tree... 22 13 4 16 5 91

Read... 22 11 4 14 7 83

Gt Harwood... 22 12 5 10 5 80

Blackburn N... 22 10 6 12 6 74

Earby... 22 8 9 14 5 64

Barnoldswick... 22 9 10 12 3 63

Padiham... 22 8 10 10 4 58

Settle... 21 6 9 12 6 54

Ribb Wand... 22 7 10 8 5 53

Clitheroe... 22 6 11 12 5 52

Edenfield... 21 6 10 10 5 50

Whalley... 22 6 10 6 6 48

Osw Imm... 22 4 14 14 4 42

DIVISION ONE

Burnley GSOB... 19 13 3 18 3 89

Salesbury... 19 12 2 16 5 86

Burnley Belv... 19 11 2 16 4 79

Padiham II... 19 7 5 16 6 66

Ribb Wand II... 19 9 7 12 3 63

Cherry Tr II... 19 8 7 10 4 58

Gt Harw II... 19 8 5 4 6 56

Rolls Royce... 19 6 8 14 5 54

Clith II... 19 5 8 8 6 45

Read II... 19 3 12 10 4 33

Barn II... 19 2 12 8 4 29

Old Ross... 19 3 12 6 4 29

DIVISION TWO

Earby II... 18 12 3 20 3 86

Stacksteads... 19 10 4 16 5 76

Edenfield... 19 9 7 14 3 65

Osw Imm... 19 8 5 14 5 67

Settle II... 18 8 7 16 3 62

Whalley... 19 8 6 12 5 62

Blackb N... 19 6 6 10 6 55

Baxenden II... 19 7 8 10 4 53

Bly Belv... 19 6 7 10 6 52

Bly GSOB II... 19 6 9 16 4 52

ROlls Royce... 19 2 11 8 6 30

Salesbury... 19 2 10 2 7 26