MICHAEL Scothern led the Jennings Ribblesdale League to the final of the inter-league knockout competition yesterday.

The league skipper bowled a tight six-over spell which cost just 10 runs to secure victory over the Lancashire County League. They now face a home tie against the Bolton League in the final.

Opener Craig Walton of Earby set them on their way to a total of 156-9 scoring 40 before being run out when a full blooded drive from Paul Beech was deflected onto the stumps by County bowler Ian Walker. Beech scored 26 and Padiham's Umar Saddique produced 19 in a late flourish.

The Lancs County side's captain Chris Sutcliffe scored 66, but they fell 23 runs short of the target in the game which was reduced to 30 overs a side.

In the league Padiham professional Faheem Fazal (57) and John Hartley (75) were in hard-hitting form as the Arbories side raced to 313-7. Edenfield were well behind the required run rate on 142-6 when the rain hit.

Great Harwood beat Barnoldswick by four wickets after the home side struggled to 139-9 on a poor wicket at Victory Park.

Cherry Tree kept up their push for honours with Michael Veevers 50 and Ashraf Mohammed 54no as they were dismissed for 191 with David Jolleys taking 6-66. Settle struggled to 108-9 in reply.

Earby professional Alexander Scholefield hit top form, scoring 45 with the bat and followed up with 6-34 to secure victory over Oswaldtwistle with professional Will Carr taking 6-70.

Whalley rattled up 212-6 with Kevin Reid scoring 112 not out and Jason Smith 47, but their hopes of victory were dashed when the match was abandoned after Ribblesdale had scored just one run.

Blackburn Northern's game against Read was also abandoned after the home side set a target of 163-8 with Neil Weaver scoring 67.

Clitheroe had scored just 39 runs when their clash with Baxenden was also hit by the weather. Scores: Barnoldswick 139-9 (0) Great Harwood 142-6 (5); Baxenden dnb (2) Clitheroe 39-0 (2); Blackburn Northern 163-8 (2) Read dnb (2); Cherry Tree 191-5 (5) Settle 108-9 (2); Earby 178 (7) Oswaldtwistle 132 (0); Edenfield 142-6 (0) Padiham 313-7 (5); Ribblesdale Wands 1-0 (2) Whalley 212-6 (2).

Manchester Evening News Inter-League Trophy: Jennings Ribblesdale League 156-9 Lancashire County League 13306. SENIOR DIVISION

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Read... 14 8 1 8 5 58

Cherry Tree... 14 8 3 10 3 56

Earby... 14 7 4 14 3 55

Gt Harwood... 14 8 3 8 3 54

Blackburn N... 14 7 3 10 4 53

Baxenden... 14 6 3 6 5 46

Barnoldswick... 14 6 6 10 2 44

Clitheroe... 14 5 5 8 4 41

Padiham... 14 5 6 4 3 35

Settle... 13 3 6 6 4 29

Edenfield... 13 3 7 6 3 27

Ribblesdale W... 14 3 7 4 4 7

Oswaldtwistle... 14 2 9 10 3 26

Whalley... 14 1 9 0 4 13