SHAHID Nawaz kept up his prolific early season form with another century that kept his side at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League.
The Pakistani batsman hit eight fours and four sixes before being run out on exactly 100 with the score on 159 against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.
And the total of 170-9 proved too much for Immanuel despite 70 from professional Russell Whalley.
Graham Monk's 6-37 from 16 overs restricted the visitors' reply to 141-9.
But the chasing pack all also had good days.
Great Harwood managed to keep up the pressure on Wanderers - but only just.
Their total of 125-9 was enough to see off Barnoldswick, whose reply fell seven runs short with two wickets remaining.
Padiham also had a scare at home to Whalley.
The champions were bowled out for 130 and, despite 60 from Dave Pearson, Whalley fell four runs short thanks to another six wicket haul, costing just 30 runs, from veteran seamer Stephen Gee. Cherry Tree made up ground thanks to a fine all-round performance from professional Naeem Ashraf.
He smashed 79 in a total of 186-7 backed by 46 from debutant batsman Shazad Shezhy.
Then Ashraf took 6-74 as Edenfield were dismissed for 141.
Read remain in the frame thanks to a comfortable victory over Blackburn Northern.
Their total of 129-6 were passed for the loss of just two wickets, Terry Little hitting 56.
And there was another nailbiter for Clitheroe who passed the Settle target of 147-5, Mark Verden scoring 54, with just one wicket remaining.
Mick Dewhurst led the way with 64 despite a six wicket haul from Andrew Fergie.
Baxenden continue to struggle and their total of 107 all-out, pro Ronnie Davies top-scoring with 59, was nowhere near enough to test Earby, for whom Stephen Pickles scored an unbeaten 55.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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