FOUR clubs are poised to fight it out for the Vaux Ribblesdale League tital after Barnoldswick fought out a nail-biting tie with Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Jeff Metcalfe scored 108 not out and Roger Watson 58 as Oswaldtwistle set a target of 222-3. The top club shared out the runs in their innings with Ian Scothern (42) and James Peterson (44) leading the way, but a last-over run-out cost them victory.

Earby moved four points closer in second place despite being bowled out for 139 with David Howard taking six for 56 for Ribblesdale Wanderers. Applegarth professional Johnathan Harvey hit back with six for 11 to dismiss Wanderers for 42.

Read slipped back to third spot despite Shahid Nawaz (57) leading them to victory over Cherry Tree. Scott Pearce (71) and Mick Veevers (53) had earlier helped Cherry Tree to 204 for six.

Great Harwood are also within five points of the leaders after Cliffe professional Chris Killen turned in a stunning all-round performance, scoring a century and taking six for 10 to dismiss Whalley for 117. Daniel Cheesbrough also scored 50 for Harwood.

Nigel Robbins was brought back to earth with a gump after last week's record-breaking innings, this time he fell first ball as Blackburn Northern were beaten by Baxenden with Richard Collins scoring 53.

Johnathan Fielding took six for 78 as Clitheroe beat Settle by 13 runs with Mark Verden scoring a half-century for the Dalesman. Skipper Pankaj Tripathi scored 88 for Padiham as they beat Edenfield by 76 runs.

Results: Barnoldswick 222-7 (3 pts), Oswaldtwistle 222-3 (3); Blackburn Northern 100, Baxenden 131-8 (7); Cherry Tree 204-6, Read 205-4 (5); Great Harwood 253-5 (7), Whalley 117; Padiham 191-8 (5), Edenfield 115-6; Ribblesdale Wanderers 42 (2), Earby 139 (7); Settle 185-8, Clitheroe 197-9 (5).

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