AUSTRALIAN professional Clinton Peake helped Barnoldswick stretch their lead at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League.

The spin-bowler scored 76 with the bat and was backed up by Paul Beech with a half century as they set Baxenden a target of 198-6.

The visitors reached 132-8 in reply with Barnoldswick skipper Michael Scothern taking 4-45.

Read stepped up to second place with an eight wicket win over Great Harwood. Professional Akram Raza took 5-33 as Harwood were dismissed for 102 and Craig Walton was on 47 not out as Read reached victory.

Cherry Tree are in third spot despite having their game against Whalley washed out with the home club having scored 149-5 and Cherry Tree on 41-2 after 15 overs.

Earby let their challenge slip as Padiham reached 221-6 with Andy Hall scoring 60, Umar Saddique adding 51 and professional Lee Childs on 52 not out. Childs then took 7-60 as Earby were left hanging on at 146-9.

Settle moved up the table with a run rate victory over Blackburn Northern, Northern scored 170-6 and the Dales reply hinged on Paul Ridgeway's 60 as they reached 169-9 to take victory by a tenth of a run on run rate.

Oswaldtwistle picked up their first win of the season with Chris Burton scoring 57 and captain Gerard Metcalfe 50 in their total of 200-5. Edenfield were dismissed for 156.

Ribblesdale Wanderers were dismissed for 158 and Clitheroe were on 78-2 when the rain forced their game to be abandoned.

All Sunday's games were washed out with Barnoldswick feeling as if they had missed out on a seven point victory over Blackburn Northern as they were on 76 without loss after 14 overs when the rain came. Professional Clinton Peake was leading the innings for 41 not out.

Baxenden were in trouble at Cherry Tree on 34-6 with Mohammed Adil taking foru wickets for 10 runs. Clitheroe's clash with Read looked to be boiling up with Clitheroe on 83-2.

Ribblesdale Wanderers had scored 59-3 in 21 overs against Earby and Edenfield had reached just 13-1 in their clash with Settle.

Whalley were on 53-1 after 16.5 overs when rain halted their game against Great Harwood.

Results (Saturday) -- Senior Division: Barnoldswick 198-6 (5) Baxenden 132-8 (0); Earby 146-9 (0) Padiham 221-6 (5); Edenfield 156 (0) Oswaldtwistle Imm 200-5 (7); Read 105-2 (7) Great Harwood 102 (0); Ribblesdale W 158 (2) Clitheroe 78-2; Settle 169-9 (5) Blackburn Northern 170-6 (0); Whalley 149-5 (2) Cherry Tree 41-2 (2).

Sunday: Barnoldswick 76-0 (2) Blackburn dnb (2) match aban; Cherry Tree dnb (2) Baxenden 34-6 (2) match aban; Oswaldtwistle Imm dnb (2) Padiham 50-4 (2) match aban; Read dnb (2) Clitheroe 83-2 (2) match aban; Ribblesdale Wdrs 59-3 (2) Earby dnb (2) match aban; Settle dnb (2) Edenfield 13-1 (2) match aban; Whalley 53-1 (2) Great Harwood dnb (2) match aban.

SENIOR DIVISIION

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Barnoldswick... 13 8 2 8 3 54

Read... 13 8 2 6 3 52

Cherry TR... 13 6 3 10 4 48

Earby... 13 7 5 10 1 47

Settle... 13 7 5 10 1 47

Ribblesdale W... 13 5 5 10 3 41

Clitheroe... 13 5 5 8 3 39

Padiham... 13 5 3 4 5 39

Blackburn N... 13 4 5 4 4 32

Whalley... 13 3 6 6 4 29

Gt Harwood... 13 4 7 4 2 28

Edenfield... 13 2 6 6 5 26

Baxenden... 13 2 6 4 5 24

Oswle Imm... 13 1 7 2 5 17