CLITHEROE lost their lead at the top of the Ribblesdale League as they were stunned by Great Harwood on another Saturday when the leading lights stuttered.

Baxenden are back on top even though they lost to Padiham but the biggest beneficiaries were Earby, who moved up to third spot.

The Applegarth outfit beat bottom side Salesbury – but were made to sweat as the Red Caps put up a brave battle.

Craig Walton scored a fine, unbeaten 107 as Earby posted 219-6 from their 45 overs.

And with Salesbury chasing well it was game on as Will Cook and professional Richard Rostron both scored half-centuries. But Earby paid man Ali Azmat claimed five wickets to seal the game.

Kamran Younis (54) and Richard (50) both got in amongst the runs as Whalley beat Read in a tasty derby. Their efforts helped Whalley to 215-6 before Read were all out for 173.

Settle pro Harry Boam made another ton but couldn’t prevent his side losing to Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Boam hit 118 and claimed four wickets – but Settle were 26 runs short of Ribblesdale’s 222.

Dan Lord claimed six wickets in a stunning spell for Cherry Tree as the Blackburn side brushed past Barnoldswick at Preston Old Road.

Lord picked up 6-41 as Barlick were bowled out for 143 and then sub pro Chioke Payne hit 49 and Joe Bolton 43 as Tree strolled home with more than 15 overs to spare. Chris Cook- Martin made 59 but he couldn’t lead Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to victory over Edenfield, who have now won four on the trot.

Scores

Baxenden 159 (M Rishton 52) Padiham 163, Padiham won by four runs; Cherry Tree 147-4 (D Lord 6-41) Barnoldswick 143, Cherry Tree won by six wickets; Clitheroe 92 Great Harwood 214-5, Great Harwood won by 122 runs; Earby 219-6 (C Walton 107*) Salesbury 209-9, (W Cook 52, Rostron 54, Azmat 5-74) Earby won by 10 runs; Edendfield 181-9 Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 173 (Cook-Martin 59, Majeed 5-78) Edenfield won by eight runs; Read 173 Whalley 215-6 (Younis 54, R Lamb 50), Whalley won by 42 runs; Settle 196 (Boam 118) Ribblesdale Wanderers 222 (Sabir 83 T Davidson 5-30), Ribblesdale won by 26 runs.