THE chase for top spot in the Vaux Ribblesdale League has been blown wide open after a double-header weekend which left just 11 points between the top six clubs.

Barnoldswick looked to have taken a stranglehold on the league with an emphatic victory over Blackburn Northern on Saturday, with professional James Peterson taking 8-24 after Ian Scothern has led the Victory Park club's batting attack with 71. Blackburn professional Ian Billcliff took 5-31.

But the top club slipped up against early-season leaders Read yesterday, in a preview of next weekend's Ramsbottom Cup Final. Malcolm Heyworth took 6-49 while his team mates Peter Usher (51) and Gary O'Connor (54no) did just enough with the bat. The leading clubs have been beating each other in the dog-fight for the championship, and on Saturday second-placed Earby were dismissed for 134 as Johnathan Fielding took 7-37 and, after being in trouble, Mick Dewhirst scored 58no to claim the points.

Read also struggled as Great Harwood lifted themselves back into contention thanks to 62 from Paul Houldsworth.

Andrew Payne took 6-43 as Baxenden beat Cherry Tree and Gurinder Singh captured 5-49 as Ribblesdale Wanderers beat Oswaldtwistle by four wickets. Settle professional Paul Beech took 5-34 as Settle beat Padiham by five wickets.

Earby held on to second place with victory over Settle on Sunday with openers Nigel Pickles (89) and professional Fielding (58) setting up their 200-plus tutal. Beech scored 64 in Settle's reply, as Lee Parkinson took 5-22.

Andrew Robinson scored 104no batting despite an injury, partnering Craig Hall (84) for much of the innings. Mark Rishton's 72 was not enough for Baxenden. Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and Blackburn Northern tied their match, both sides scoring 189. Roger Watson scored a century and Peter Gardiner added 55 for Immanuel while Nigel Robbins scored 81 for Northern.

Great Harwood took the points with Paul Allen (93) against Ribblesdale Wanderers and Padiham defeated bottom club with 68 from John Kearsley and Stephen Gee took 6-29.

Cherry Tree had the advantage in a high-scoring game at Cherry Tree. John Kershaw scored 80 for the home club while John Hughes picked up five wickets for Cherry Tree. Andy Oldroyd (89no) and Gary Bolton (58no) hit a hot streak with the bat to secure the points.

Results - Saturday: Barnoldswick 157-9 (7 pts), Blackburn Northern 77; Baxenden 144 (7), Cherry Tree 118 (2); Clitheroe 138-7 (7), Earby 134; Edenfield 173-8, Whalley 227-7 (5); Great Harwood 171-9 (5), Read 133-9; Oswaldtwistle 112-9, Ribblesdale Wanderers 114-6 (5); Settle 116-6 (5), Padiham 114-9.

Sunday: Oswaldtwistle 189-4 (3), Blackburn Northern 189-8 (3); Clitheroe 217-5 (5), Baxenden 181-9; Earby 216-5 (5), Settle 176-7; Edenfield 209-7, Cherry Tree 210-5 (5); Gt Harwood 229-6 (5), Ribblesdale Wanderers 177-7; Read 161-8 (7), Barnoldswick 138; Whalley 115, Padiham 116-6 (7).

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