Vaux Ribblesdale League

AFTER a near washout on Saturday, the Vaux Ribblesdale League bounced back with a full programme of matches yesterday.

Only Whalley managed to take the honours on the first day of a double-header weekend when John Kearsley's 50 not out helped them to an easy victory over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

On Sunday Cherry Tree continued their march to the championship with Simon Hulme 73 as they rattled up a double century total. Professional Naeem Ashraf captured 5-58 as Northern were left struggling.

Padiham sub pro Chris Brown took the major honours as he captured five wickets to dismiss Read for 95. Skipper Stephen Gee continued his remarkable bowling season taking 4-35. Padiham made certain of a comfortable win, but lost six wickets in the chase.

Clitheroe have maintained their place among the leaders by beating Ribblesdale Wanderers. Ribblesdale professional Gurindar Singh scored 64 and followed up with 5-61, but it was not good enough after Jonathan Fielding took 5-35 backed up by Neil Bolton's 4-53 to dismiss Ribblesdale.

Earby captured the honours in their local derby against Barnoldswick. The Victory Park club's Australian professional Bruce Hara scored an impressive 89 as his side reached 156-5 in 43 overs, but Earby took victory with time to spare as Nigel Pickles scored 53. Edenfield beat Baxenden by 41 runs to maintain their dash up the leage.

Paul Allen captured six wickets as Great Harwood shot Oswaldtwistle Immanuel out for 100 and The Cliffe side captured a seven wicket win with Richard Lamb top scoring on 43.

Settle were bowled out for 104 as David O'Neill snapped up five wickets for Whalley who had earlier seen their own batting line-up crumble for 139 as Settle pro Mike Curran took 5-30.

Results: Saturday: Whalley 159-5 (5 pts), Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 89-9. All other games rained off.

Sunday: Cherry Tree 203-8 (5pts), Blackburn Northern 139-7; Earby 158-4 (5), Barnoldswick 156-5; Edenfield 156-8, Baxenden 115-9; Padiham 99-6 (7) Read 95; Ribblesdale Wanderers 146, Clitheroe 147-8 (7); Great Harwood 103-3 (7), Oswaldtwistle 100; Whalley 139 (7), Settle 104 (2).

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