CHERRY Tree went through to the final of the Ramsbottom Cup in a last-ball thriller at The Cliffe.

The Blackburn side looked to be well in command after setting a total of 229-8 with Naeem Ashraf 95 and Andy Holroyd 58. But the home side staged a spectacular fightback and needed six wickets to win off the last ball, but just failed.

The match was sponsored by Ramsbottom and Co who donated the original trophy and Paul Houldsworth was named their man of the match after scoring 85 and taking four wickets.

Earby clinched a more comfortable victory as they bowled Whalley out for 70. The Applegarth club knocked off the winning runs with one wicket down with professional Jonathan Harvey top scoring on 44 not out.

In the league Cherry Tree continued to pile on the pressure with a comfortable 10 wicket win over Settle. Ashraf picked up 6-20 with Andy Holroyd taking seven catc hes as Settle were bowled out for 59.

Barnoldswick missed out on victory after bowling Padiham out for 79. The Victory Park club could only reach 72 with teenager Matthew Nutter retiring hurt. Stand-in professional for Padiham, Paul Ridgeway took 5-41.

Earby dismissed Blackburn Northern for 87 with professional Harvey taking 6-45. Earby had earlier set a target of 175-8 with Stephen Pickles and skipper Steve Rushton scoring half centuries.

Whalley had the edge over neighbours Clitheroe with Paul MacIntosh making 57.

Great Harwood professional Charles Dagnall scored 65, but Read edged to victory on run rate with Terry Little 63 not out. Oswaldtwistle Immanuel took maximum points against Edenfield with Gerard Metcalfe 82 not out and Edenfield's John Ashley taking 5-68. Oswaldtwistle professional Hanif captured 5-12. Baxenden beat Ribblesdale Wanderers despite a fine 78 from Nawaz and Rishton scored 79 not out for Baxenden.

In Read's rearranged game against Oswaldtwistle, the home club were bowled out for 64 with Read securing a nine wicket win.

Results - League: Barnoldswick 72, Padiham 79 (7 pts); Blackburn Northern 87, Earby 175-8 dec (7); Cherry Tree 63-0 (7), Settle 59; Clitheroe 130, Whalley 159-7 (7); Great Harwood 158-8, Read 121-2 (5); Oswaldtwistle Imm 135-7 (7), Edenfield 103; Ribblesdale Wdrs 150-7, Baxenden 154-8 (5); Oswaldtwistle 64, Read 68-1 (7).

Cup: Whalley 70, Earby 73-1; Cherry Tree 229-8, Great Harwood 223-9.

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