STUART Maher produced an incredible bowling performance to send the Jennings Ribblesdale League through to the final of the Lancashire Inter-League Knockout Trophy.

He took four wickets for just seven runs in an astonishing 10-over spell to send the Lancashire County League crashing out at the semi-final stage.

At one point they had lost seven wickets for just 19 runs before a mini recovery took them to 80 before the last wicket fell.

The Ribblesdale League won by seven wickets with opener Ian Scothern batting through the innings for 40.

In the league Clitheroe captain Neil Bolton kept up his astonishing run-scoring spree, scoring 86 not out as the Ribble Valley side beat Cherry Tree by nine wickets. The innings took his personal total to 685 runs with almost half the season to go. His brother Mark decided not to miss out on the action with 60 not out after Cherry Tree had set a target of 179-8 with Chris Riley leading the way on 53.

Nick Marsh scored a half century and professional Peter Sleep added 48 not out as Read kept up the pace at the top of the table. They beat Barnoldswick by eight runs after Sleep had taken 4-76 to restrict the Victory Park club to 148-7.

Great Harwood kept up the pressure with maximum points against Settle who were dismissed for 132.

David Howard took 6-38 as Ribblesdale Wanderers also collected seven points from their battle with Whalley. The win keeps them in touch as the top four clubs start to pull away.

South African professional Gareth Flusk scored 125 as his side reached 185-8, but it was not enough at Edenfield, professional Ian Mitchell scored 107 to help his side to a six-wicket win.

Earby's substitute professional Mohammed Ayub scored a controlled 78 as the Applegarth club reached 187-7. It was not enough as Baxenden professional Jonathan Harvey chipped in with 89 to secure a six-wicket win over his old club.

South African Wes Morrick led Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to victory with a fine all-round performance. He scored 56 as Ossy reached 179-9 and took 5-46 as Padiham were dismissed for 108.

Results: Barnoldswick 148-7 (0) Read 151-2 (5); Baxenden 189-4 (5) Earby 187-7 (0); Cherry Tree 179-8 (0) Clitheroe 180-1 (5); Edenfield 191-4 (5) Blackburn N 185-8 (0); Oswaldtwisle Imm 179-9 (7) Padiham 108 (0); Ribblesdale W 173-7 (7) Whalley 145 (0); Settle 132 (0) Great Harwood 134-4 (7).