CLITHEROE retained the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League title as they saw off the threat of Great Harwood on Saturday to spark a party in the Ribble Valley.

And to make their weekend even better, Paul Gaskell’s men made it two wins from two over the weekend yesterday as they beat Whalley to really open up a gap between themselves and runners-up Settle.

And on a weekend of celebration, Cherry Tree also partied long into the night as they beat Edenfield to become the first champions of Section B and will be in the top tier of the Senior League next season.

They will be joined by Earby, who had been long-time leaders.

Going in the opposite direction are Ramsbottom Cup winners Ribblesdale Wanderers and Barnoldswick, who were expected to make a title challenge this time around.

Clitheroe were restricted to 161-9 at Great Harwood on Saturday but that proved to be enough for the Cliffe side who were bowled out for 128 with only Charlie Fernando (50) offering much resistance.

And that result meant Clitheroe could celebrate as Settle’s failure to bowl out Oswaldtwistle Immanuel in their penultimate game meant they could not catch Gaskell’s men.

Eddie Read did his bit with six wickets as Immanuel were 111-8 with Daniel Metcalf making a half-century.

Settle dashed home with Robbie Davidson making an unbeaten 51.

Ribblesdale Wanderers share the same town as Clitheroe but their emotions were at the opposite end of the scale as they were relegated after a defeat to Baxenden on Saturday.

Ian Britcliffe claimed six wickets but Asif Iqbal’s 102 not out helped Bash to 194-9 with Wanderers bowled out for 130 in reply.

Brandon Scullard claimed five wickets as Read beat Whalley in Section A’s other game.

Section B was tense with Cherry Tree, Earby and Salesbury all chasing two places – and Cherry had been wobbling since overseas star Ruan Sadler returned to South Africa last month.

They had picked up the tag of Che-Ruan Tree in some quarters as a result but Mark Hadfield’s men finally performed when it mattered to beat Edenfield.

They clinched promotion thanks to the bonus points gained when they bowled Edenfield out for 173.

That was frustrating for Edenfield pro Paul Gallager who was left stranded on 98 not out with the final two men both run out.

Rob Ince claimed five wickets for Tree, who were wobbling with the bat until Nas Iqbal hit an unbeaten 57 to see them home and to the title.

Earby clinched runners-up thanks to a big win at Brinscall while Salesbury eased past Euxton and Padiham were beaten by Brooksbottom.

That completed the Section B programme, while yesterday there was a programme in Section A.

Tom Lord hit 65 as Clitheroe chased down Whalley’s 189-8 with three wickets to spare, while Baxenden hammered Read with Kurt Smithson making 50 and Ben Swindells claiming five wickets in a big win.

Jack Edgar and Fernando both hit half-centuries for Great Harwood but they were beaten by eight wickets at Settle as Adil Islam made 57 not out.

Barnoldswick couldn’t raise a team for their trip to Ribblesdale Wanderers meaning they get the wooden spoon.

Barlick are due at Clitheroe on Saturday for the final game.