PADIHAM and Cherry Tree slipped through the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League Senior Division trapdoor as the first season of automatic relegation saw two of the competition’s stalwarts pay the price for poor campaigns.

Padiham lost their place at the top table when they were beaten by Cherry Tree in a crucial match on Saturday – but Mark Hadfield’s men followed them into Division One yesterday when they were beaten at Edenfield.

And that means delight for Euxton, who survived despite an absolute hiding at the hands of Settle, who will take their battle with Barnoldswick for second spot into the final day.

Padiham were doomed on Saturday as they failed to fire in their crucial battle at Cherry Tree.

The difference on the day was Cherry Tree veteran Naeem Ashraf, whose 61 helped his side post a challenging total.

Dan Logan gave the innings some late impetus with 34 and Cherry Tree had reached 198-8. Padiham also crucially contributed 39 of those in extras to make their job that little bit tougher.

Nesir Mehmood claimed three wickets and Chris Holt bowled through to return 5-92 but he needed to shine with the bat but could only manage eight and Padiham were never in the hunt with Kev Hitchon’s 36, 35 from Kurt Robinson and 26 from Mehmood the only real scores of note.

Home pro Kamran Anwar claimed five wickets and skipper Mark Hadfield three as Padiham were 147 all out with their survival bid well and truly snookered.

But Cherry Tree's celebrations were muted after news fitlered through from Balshaw Park as Euxton beat Edenfield by 70 runs.

Euxton piled up 213 all out after batting first and then bowled out Edenfield for just 143.

That defeat was hard on Edenfield pro Paul Gallagher. The former Bacup batsman celebrated a new two-year deal to stay at Gincroft Lane with his career-best bowling display.

He claimed 9-58 as Adam Barnes men got on top but Ulricht van Duyker's 53 gave Euxton the edge.

Champions Clitheroe thumped Read after Kashif Siddique claimed 8-18 to bowl out Kyle O'Connor's men for 91.

Kurt Smithson claimed 6-39 as Baxenden maintained their good run with a win at Great Harwood, while Ribblesdale Wanderers turned on the style to beat Barnoldswick.

Ben Dougall made a brilliant 106 as Ribb posted 236-5 before Mark Thompson claimed six wickets as Barlick closed on 191-9.

Aussie Lewis Mildenhall made 63 not out and then seamer Andreas Sudnik passed 50 wickets for the season as Oswaldtwistle Immanuel took a big step towards a place in next year's Lancashire Cup thanks to a 77-run win over Salesbury, while Settle edged home against Earby.

Whalley borrowed Ashar Zaidi from Lancashire League champions Accrington but despite his six wickts, they were beaten by Brooksbottom.

Richard Lamb's 60 helped Whalley to 192-8 but Allan Armer made 82 as Brooksbottom got home by three wickets.

Cherry Tree needed to beat Edenfield yesterday and hope Euxton slipped up if they were to keep their hopes alive but they couldn’t chase down 190-6 at Gincroft Lane and were bowled out 22 runs short.

That news saw Euxton’s worry turn into delight after they had been thumped by Settle.

The Balshaw Park outfit were shot out for just 100 and when Settle, who are now third, raced to 70-1 inside eight overs there was only going to be one result.

Settle are at Padiham next week and are five points behind Barnoldswick in the race for second.

Barlick would have wrapped up that place with a win over Great Harwood but Stuart Maher had other ideas and he continued his impressive form this season with another five wicket haul.

He claimed 5-34 as Barlick were bowled out for 154 - and the deposed champions wouldn’t have made so many had it not been for 63 from John Pickup.

Tiaan Cloete then top scored with 41 as Harwood got home and Barlick now need to beat Edenfield on Saturday to clinch second.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel put themselves in the box seat for a top five spot with an impressive win over Brooksbottom.

Jon Baldwin and Lewis Mildenhall made half-centuries as Immanuel piled up 231-5 before they then skittled the Brox for 100.

Read had too much for Whalley and Ribblesdale Wanderers claimed a good win at Baxenden.

And Clitheroe really turned on the style in a high scoring Chatburn Road clash with Salesbury.

Tom Lord was the star of the show for the champions as he smashed a boundary-laden 114 and James Banks scored a half century as Paul Gaskell’s men rattled up 308-7 against Salesbury.

Mudassar Panchbaya replied with 82 for Salesbury but they closed on 235-9 with four wickets to the unlikely bowling of Peter Dibb.