BARNOLDSWICK claimed top spot in the Vaux Ribblesdale League after a thrilling victory over Blackburn Northern.

Victory Park professional, James Peterson was in the runs again, scoring 70 in his side's 175-7, but Blackburn pushed them all the way with Jeff Hacking on 69 not out as they fell just 10 runs short of victory.

Read collapsed in spectacular style when they were dismissed for 100 by Great Harwood who took the match without losing a victory, with Paul Allen 59 not out.

Jonathan Harvey scored 58 and took 5-62 as Earby beat Clitheroe by nine runs to share second place in the league with Read.

Padiham skipper Pankaj Tripathi led from the front with a blistering 120 not out against Settle, but the Dalesmen were undaunted by the 203-5 total.

With sub-pro Peter Sleep (78) they turned up the heat and were just five runs short, with nine wickets down when time ran out.

An undefeated century from Ribblesdale Wanderers' professional, Gurinder Singh, was not enough to save his side as Oswaldtwistle Immanuel took a run-rate victory. Gerrard Metcalfe scored 51 for Oswaldtwistle.

David Hayes and Michael Veevers were on high scoring form for Cherry Tree with Hayes (93) and Veevers (84) scoring the lion's share of their 21-7. Baxenden scored 167-7 in reply with Bob Collins 55 while Gary Bolton claimed 5-41.

Whalley snatched their second win of the season with a run rate victory over Edenfield. Andy Wright scored 88 not out for the Rossendale Valley side and Mick Graham rattled up 53 for Whalley.

Scores: Blackburn Northern 166-9, Barnoldswick 175-7 (5pts); Cherry Tree 217-7 (5), Baxenden 167-7; Earby 178-6 (7), Clitheroe 167; Padiham 203-5 (5), Settle 198-9; Read 100, Great Harwood 102-0 (7); Ribblesdale Wanderers 181-9, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 161-8 (5); Whalley 187-5 (5), Edenfield 192-4.

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