BARNOLDSWICK slipped from top spot in the Vaux Ribblesdale League despite a century from opener Ian Scothern.

Baxenden set a target of 286 for three with Mark Rishton rattling up 124, with John Bushell adding 90. But Scothern's century and 51 from Graham Harker was not enough.

Read are now top of the pile after professional Shahid Nawaz continued his impressive form. He scored 68 and took four wickets to beat Oswaldtwistle.

Earby share second place after leaving Padiham struggling in their wake, but Nasser Mahmood gave the Padiham club a big chance with a superb half century late in the game.

Clitheroe defeated Cherry Tree after Andy Robinson's 84 helped them set a 244 target. Andy Holroyd's 67 and an impressive 57 in 41 balls from Neil Bramwell were not enough as Cherry Tree ran out of steam on 222-9. Great Harwood took the honours after Chris Killen captured 5 for 51 against Settle with Fleming scoring a half century for the Dalesmen.

Skipper Tony Cokell returning from hospital after splitting webbing on one hand to prevent the home side collecting bonus points, Andrew Ridgway also leaving the ground through illness.

Brett Storey took 5 for 54 as Edenfield bowled Ribblesdale Wanderers out for 97. Edenfield had earlier been dismissed for 122 giving Wanderers two points.

Geoff Hacking captured seven wickets as Blackburn Northern left Whalley struggling without a point at the bottom of the table.

Results: Baxenden 286-3 (5 pts), Barnoldswick 215-6; Cherry Tree 222-9, Clitheroe 244-6 (5); Earby 165-8 (7), Padiham 131; Great Harwood 180-9 (5), Settle 135-8; Read 149 (7), Oswaldtwistle 110; Ribblesdale Wdrs 97, Edenfield 122 (7); Whalley 129-9, Blackburn Northern 142-9 (5).

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