GREAT Harwood made their bid for the Vaux Ribblesdale League Championship with a stunning nine wicket victory over Settle.

Richard Shovelton took six for 18 as the Dalesmen were bowled out for just 56. With a number of the senior side absent at Ripon Races, Settle struggled to field a team and Great Harwood took full advantage.

The seven point victory takes them to within striking distance of top spot, just one point behind leaders Earby.

The Applegarth club held on to the lead with victory over Padiham. Jonathan Harvey captured five for 72 as the Arbories side were restricted to 228 for nine. Nigel Pickles (72) and Stephen Hipgrave (58 not out) saw them to a five wicket win.

Read let their challenge slip as they were dismissed for 145 by Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and professional Peter Gardiner dominated his side's reply with 104 not out. Blackburn Northern are in the race to earn a place in next year's Lancashire Knockout competition after beating Whalley.

Northern set a total of 239 for three with professional Ian Billcliff 87 and Nigel Robbins racing to within nine runs of 1,000 for the season with an innings of 101 not out.

Mick Dewhurst scored 62 not out as Clitheroe took a six wicket win over Cherry Tree and Rudrah Singh 57 and John Raine 62 led Ribblesdale Wanderers to victory with Bob Riley taking five for 39 against Edenfield.

Barnoldswick's problems continued as they played out their second tie of the season against Baxenden. Barnoldswick scored 121 for six and Baxenden were 121 for eight at the end of the match. Ribblesdale League's Under 25 side defeated Lancashire County League under 25s by 25 runs with Daniel Cheesbrough scoring 80 for the local league.

Results: Barnoldswick 121-6 (3 pts), Baxenden 121-8 (3); Blackburn Northerrn 239-3 (5), Whalley 139-7; Clitheroe 176-4 (5), Cherry Tree 172-6; Edenfield 124, Ribblesdale Wdrs 192-8 (7); Oswaldtwistle Imm 146-8 (7), Read 145; Padiham 228-9, Earby 234-5 (5); Settle 56, Great Harwood 57-1 (7); Ribblesdale League Under 25s 197-6, Lancs County League Under 25s 172-9.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.