CHAMPIONS Clitheroe dropped their first points of the season as the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League’s top two played out a thrilling tie at Marshfield on Saturday.

It could have been worse for the senior league leaders as Settle professional Imran Khalid threatened to win the game single handedly.

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Alistair Ross, with his first half century for the club, and a customary 50 from Janaka Gunaratne helped the visitors to 211-6.

Settle were soon in trouble losing two early wickets before recovering ahead of Tom Davidson’s dismissal at 122-4.

With 10 overs remaining Settle needed 84 with five wickets remaining to inflict Clitheroe’s first league defeat of the season.

With Khalid spraying the ball to all parts, Settle stayed in touch despite losing wickets at the opposite end. Settle required 21 off the last two overs but any chance they had of victory virtually disappeared when Khalid was out for 132 from the first ball of the last over.

They eventually closed on 211-8 to leave both teams with seven points.

Salesbury, involved in the previous week’s tie against Baxenden, enjoyed a free Saturday. Ribblesdale Wanderers suffered a seven wicket defeat at Padiham. Kyle Marshall’s all-round performance engineered a 61-run win for Barnoldswick at Brinscall.

Marshall top scored with 69 out of Barlick’s 188 and then claimed 7-36 as the home side limped to 127 all out.

Best bowling performance of the day belonged to Oswaldtwistle’s Andrew Metcalf as Immanuel won for the second time this campaign.

It was Dan Metcalf, celebrating his call-up to the League side, with 65 that helped ‘Ossie’ to 172-8 before Andrew took over with 8-44 from 13.2 overs as Read finished 95 all out.

Hiken Shah was the day’s other centurion with an unbeaten 111 from 102 balls as Whalley cruised to a 68-run win against Cherry Tree.

Brooksbottom lost by seven wickets at Great Harwood.

Edenfield and Euxton managed only 158 runs between them at Balshaw Park with the visitors coming out on top after making only 97 in the first innings.

Baxenden were the day’s other winners beating Earby by 11 runs at Applegarth, helped by Gary Sudworth’s 6-47 when defending 154.