Chris Read turned in a top display with bat and ball as Haslingden beat Ramsbottom at Acre Bottom in the big Saturday set-to.

The all-rounder hit a crucial 46 on his return to his old club and then claimed six wickets as Ramsbottom’s batting failed.

Haslingden went into the game without injured skipper Graham Knowles and pro Phil Hayes, who was absent as his partner went into labour.

But Read stepped up to the plate as an opener and batted beautifully. There were runs from Steve Dearden (26) and John Pemberton (32).

Jack Taylor also made 31 and Haslingden got up to 203-9 with Jon Fielding claiming 6-44 to pass 40 for the season.

Rammy lost Keith Webb and Jamie Pilling in the space of five balls after a bright start – and when Fielding fell, they were 60-5.

Mark Dentith (16) and Andy Caunce (29) shared a 49-run stand but there was no way back.

Haslingden innings

CP Read c Caunce b Fielding 46
A Coleman b Haslam 7
Hales c Fielding b Haslam 7
SE Dearden lbw b Fielding 26
J Taylor c Caunce b Fielding 31
J Pemberton c Hakin b Fielding 32
LG Ingham c DM Bell b Fielding 2
M Imtiaz c DM Bell b Haslam 2
JJ Marcroft b Fielding 8
J Neary not out 1
J Sudworth not out 9
Extras 35
Total (9 wickets) 203
Haslam 17 2 60 3, Hakin 6 1 22 0, Fielding 19 5 44 6, Brown 6 0 37 0, du Plessis 2 0 24 0.

Ramsbottom innings

KT Webb c Dearden b Read 14
J Pilling c and b Dearden 8
du Plessis b Read 25
DM Bell c Hales b Read 1
AW Bell c Marcroft b Dearden 0
JM Fielding c Hales b Read 4
M Dentith c Pemberton b Sudworth 16
A Caunce c Ingham b Read 29
RLE Brown c Marcroft b Sudworth 4
A Hakin c Sudworth b Read 8
MG Haslam not out 0
Extras 14
Total (10 wickets 125
Dearden 13 0 61 2, Read 16.3 5 50 6. Sudworth 4 1 7 2.

Haslingden won by 78 runs. Ramsbottom 0, Haslingden 12.