CHRIS Holt roared back to form and bowled Padiham to a crucial win as they boosted their survival hopes against Whalley.

Holt, who will play for Cumberland at Buckinghamshire in next week’s Minor Counties Championship clash, starred as he led his relegation threatened side to a hugely impressive win.

Padiham are still bottom of the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League but with nine games to play believe they can put a string of results together to survive.

They seemed to be heading to another loss when Whalley reduced them to 20-4.

But they managed to get up to 150 all out – and then Holt bowled marvellously and returned figures of 7-56 as Whalley were bowled out seven runs short in a dramatic finish.

Cherry Tree remain deep in trouble after Ribblesdale Wanderers edged them out by one wicket in another close game at Church Meadow.

Cherry posted a respectable 183-7 but John Rain made 59 before Wanderers wobbled in their reply.

They managed to get over the line in the end to break Cherry hearts. Euxton are the third club who are deep in trouble at the bottom and their debut season woes continued as they were crushed by 133 runs at Baxenden.

Brooksbottom claimed another impressive win as they turned over Twenty20 champions Salesbury at The Brox.

Mian Ulhaq top scored with 47 and skipper Julian Marcroft made 40 as Brooksbottom posted 206-9 with Susantha Pradeep claiming five wickets and Ed Foster four.

Scott Wharton top scored with 44 for the Red Caps but they struggled in their reply and were 163 all out with David Brown reeling in six wickets.

Fahid Rehman scored a brilliant 102 not out as Earby chased down a big score to beat Great Harwood.

Harwood looked well set after Patrick Swanney’s 71 not out and 51 from pro Tiaan Cloete helped them up to 207-6.

But Rehman had other ideas and scored at more than a run a ball as Earby cantered to a six-wicket win with more than 13 overs to spare.

Andrew Davidson claimed six wickets as Settle beat Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

It was a game for the veterans with Immanuels Geragd Metcalf also picking up five wickets as Settle were 215 all out.

Elliott Artingtoll made 63 as Read posted 210-7 at Barnoldswick but the reigning champions claimed a four-wicket win thanks to Imran Khalid’s 69.

They are hot on the heels of leaders Clitheroe, who beat Edendfield by 101 runs at Chatburn Road.