PROFESSIONAL Shaheed Nawaz took Ribblesdale Wanderers clear at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League with a superb century against Great Harwood yesterday.

They started the day just three points clear of the chasing club after the top of the table closed dramatically following Saturday's games. Nawaz scored 114 as Ribblesdale set Great Harwood a target of 206-5 and the visitors were shot out for 93 with David Haword taking 4-30.

Read moved into third place with professional Peter Sleep enjoying a superb afternoon against Cherry Tree. He scored 98 not out and was backed up by Michael Whalley's 52 and followed up with 5-42.

Padiham slipped into fifth spot after Blackburn Northern professional Ata-Ur-Rehman took 7-43 to dismiss them for 97. Northern knocked off the winning runs with four wickets down.

Earby had a terrible weekend with Lee Bibby taking 7-31 for Clitheroe as the Applegarth side were shot out for 89. Clitheroe took a six wicket win.

Barnoldswick captain Michael Scothern top scored with 52 not out but Graham Knowles took 6-56 as the Victory Park club were restricted to 131-8. Knowles then scored 53 as Mick Scothern took 5-43 but Whalley got home with two wickets in hand.

Baxenden took maximum points after professional Ronnie Davies too 5-51 against Oswaldtwistle, with Payne scoring 51. Dave Usher top scored for Baxenden with 60 as they cruised to a six wicket victory.

Edenfield took the honours against Settle despite a half century from professional Surendra Bhave. Martin Pye top scored for Edenfield with 75 not out in their seven wicket win. Sunday's clash at the top was set up on Saturday when Settle sprung the surprise of the day. The bottom club dismissed Ribblesdale Wanderers for 82 and then scraped home with nine wickets down.

Great Harwood beat Whalley by two wickets to close the gap at the top. Graham Knowles scored 74 for Whalley with Dave Pearson adding 62 as they reached 182-6 but Harwood got home with two wickets to spare thanks to professional Mark Harvey's 80 as Knowles took 6-84.

Read professional Peter Sleep scored 53 not out to see his side to a five wicket win over Edenfield after he had taken 6-57. Brett Storey led the Rossendale club's innings with 66.

Padiham set a target of 257-5 for Earby with Anthony Hall scoring 78 not out. Earby professional Jonathan Harvey top scored with 54 as his side crashed to 121 all out with former Applegarth professional Stephen Gee returning from retirement to take 6-36.

Clitheroe took the honours on the run rate in a rain-affected match at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel. The home club scored 149-8 and Clitheroe scraped home with a total of 133-9.

Blackburn Northern skittled Baxenden for 69 with professional Rehman taking 5-26. Northern knocked off the winning runs without losing a wicket.

Barnoldswick were restricted to 121-8 and Cherry Tree cruised home by eight wickets with Andy Grogan scoring 64. Results -- Saturday: Barnoldswick 121-8 (0), Cherry 122-2 (5); Blackburn N 70-0 (7), Baxenden 69 (0); Oswaldtwistle Imm 149-8 (0), Clitheroe 133-9 (5); Padiham 257-5 (7), Earby 121 (0); Read 163-5 (5), Edenfield 161-9 (0); Settle 83-9 (7), Ribblesdale W 82 (0); Whalley 182-6 (0), Gt Harwood 184-8 (5).

Sunday: Barnoldswick 131-8 (0), Whalley 132-8 (5); Baxenden 114-4 (7), Oswaldtwistle 110 (0); Earby 89 (0), Clitheroe 90-4 (7); Edenfield 139-3 (5), Settle 133-7 (0); Padiham 97 (0), Blackburn N 98-4 (7); Read 215-5 (7), Cherry Tree 170 (0); Ribblesdale W 206-5 (7), Gt Harwood 93 (0). SENIOR LEAGUE

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Ribblesdale W... 24 16 3 16 5 106

Great Harwood... 24 14 6 18 4 96

Read... 24 13 7 16 4 89

Cherry Tree... 24 14 8 14 2 88

Padiham... 24 14 6 10 4 88

Clitheroe... 24 11 9 10 4 73

Blackburn N... 24 9 10 12 5 67

Whalley... 24 8 12 14 4 62

Earby... 24 9 11 8 4 61

Barnoldswick... 24 8 12 10 4 58

Edenfield... 24 8 13 10 3 56

Baxenden... 24 5 13 10 6 47

Oswaldtwistle... 24 5 14 10 5 45

Settle... 24 6 16 6 2 40