WITH Settle already crowned Ribblesdale League Section A champions, the battle is for who will finish as runners-up with one game of the season left to play.

And it is Read who have jumped in to second spot thanks to victory over Barnoldswick as they climbed over Padiham who were beaten by Salesbury.

At Read, Barnoldswick batted first and were bowled out for just 68.

They had been reduced to 13-5 but had captain Jonny Beech (22) and Adil Khan (14) to thank for posting a barely respectable total. Luke Jongwe took 4-21 and Warren Eastham three wickets without conceding a run.

It took Read just nine overs to get their target with captain Matt Walker ending on 40 not out.

The game of the day saw Padiham host Salesbury.

The home side batted first but lost wickets on a regular basis and a low score looked likely.

However Callum Clarke stood alone against the Salesbury attack, blending dogged defence with some excellent attacking shots. He was last out having scored 88 of Padiham’s 119 all out total.

Hashen Ramanayake took 6-22 off 17 accurate overs. In reply, Salesbury also struggled to make progress and when they were reduced to 69-6, Padiham looked the favourites.

But when Josh Bristol was joined by Steven Brown, it was their seventh wicket partnership that turned the match.

They added 48 when Brown was out for 11, when another wicket fell to Jack Dewhurst next ball the result was again in the balance.

However, Bristol finished with a match-winning unbeaten 32.

Elsewhere, Baxenden hosted Feniscowles in an entertaining clash

Baxenden posted 144 all out, Aneeq Hussain top scoring with 50.

Zuhaib Zaman took 5-41 and Adam Masood 3-20.

Zaman continued with his good day top scoring with 44 but his efforts looked like they would be in vain as Feniscowles were reduced to 110-9.

However, tail-enders Masood (16 not out) and Mark McGovern (16 not out) saw Fenny home by one wicket.

Elsewhere, Cherry Tree beat Euxton by five runs while in the clash between champions of the last two seasons relegated Ossie Immanuel upset the odds to beat Settle who had sealed the title seven days earlier.