MATTHEW CHEESBROUGH pulled off an astonishing bowling performance as Great Harwood demolished the Barnoldswick innings.

After The Cliffe side had set a target of 220-9, Barnoldswick were dismissed for just 114 with Cheesbrough mopping up the tail end in less than an over. He claimed an astonishing hat trick taking three wickets for four runs in just five balls.

Simon Bishop snatched victory for Clitheroe with an impressive batting performance, scoring 22 runs off just nine balls. Read scored 164-8 and Clitheroe were left needing 20 runs off the last two overs with their final pair at the wicket, but Bishop secured the win with an aggressive cameo innings.

Earlier Neil Bolton had scored 50 and Jonathan Fielding took 5-85. Cherry Tree continued to dominate the top of the table despite being bowled out for 154. They hit back against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel who were dismissed for 82 with Naeem Ashraf taking 6-45. Stephen Gee kept up his impressive bowling record capturing four wickets as Baxenden were dismissed for 105, Padiham professional Mark Harvey scored 62 not out as his side claimed an eight wicket win.

The other Harvey brother, John scored 86 for Earby, but it was not enough to save them from defeat by Edenfield who rattled up 241-4 with John Kershaw undefeated on 80 and Nigel Franklin 53.

Ribblesdale Wanderers comfortably beat Whalley who were bowled out for 142 with Graham Monk capturing five wickets. Gurinder Singh scored 81 and Martin Briggs (53) scored Ribblesdale's first amateur half century of the season. Blackburn Northern claimed a comfortable seven wicket win over Settle with professional Chetan Sharma taking 6-46 and scoring 59 not out with the bat. On Saturday Cherry Tree again claimed seven points with an easy victory over Padiham and Clitheroe were also in the points with a seven wicket win over Settle. Earby scored 203-6, but saw Oswaldtwistle Immanuel race to a nine wicket win with Matthew Lawrence 101 not out and Roger Watson undefeated on 82.

Ribblesdale Wanderers professional Gurinder Singh was 75 not out in their victory over Barnoldswick with opener Ian Scothern top scoring on 64. Chris Killen captured six wickets for Great Harwood as they dominated the match against Baxenden. Richard Lamb retired hurt on 69 for Harwood. Read claimed five points against Whalley with Nawaz scoring 74 with the bat and taking 5-62. Mark Fallon scored 76 for Whalley. Blackburn Northern beat Edenfield by eight wickets with Paul Bromley leading the way on 77.

Scores - Saturday: Barnoldswick 172-7, Ribblesdale Wdrs 175-7 (5 pts); Earby 203-6, Oswaldtwistle Imm 205-1 (5); Settle 141, Clitheroe 142-3 (7); Baxenden 145, Gt Harwood 236-5 (7); Cherry Tree 206 (7), Padiham 162-2 (2); Read 191-8 (5), Whalley 166-8; Edenfield 117, Blackburn Northern 118-2 (7).

Sunday: Barnoldswick 114, Great Harwood 220-9 (7); Blackburn Northern 126-3 (7), Settle 125 all out; Cherry Tree 154 (7), Oswaldtwistle Imm 82 (2); Clitheroe 167-9 (5), Read 164-8; Edenfield 241-4 (5), Earby 238-8; Padiham 106-2 (7), Baxenden 105; Ribblesdale Wdrs 214-6 (7), Whalley 142.

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