PADIHAM let a golden opportunity to consolidate their place at the top of the Vaux Ribblesdale League slip when Great Harwood took the honours with a spectacular run chase.

The top club set the target of 220 in just 39 overs with Andy McNicholas top scoring with 80 not out.

But Harwood were not daunted by the huge total and reached victory with an over to spare thanks to John Whittle 87 and a sparkling half century from Daniel Cheesbrough.

Clitheroe took the honours with a comfortable victory over Blackburn Northern who saw their nightmare season continue.

Read took seven points in their game with Baxenden with Graham Bardsley top scoring on 51. Baxenden were shot out for 85.

Ribblesdale Wanderers took the honours against Oswaldtwistle with Shahid Nawaz 61 and Martin Briggs 76 not out after Hanif had scored 57 in Oswaldtwistle's innings.

Edenfield rattled up a total of 184-1 against Settle with John Kershaw leading the way on 95 not out and Nigel Franklin adding a half century. The Dalesmen were restricted to 80-6 in the 30 over game.

Barnoldswick professional Paul Beech took 7-38 as Whalley were restricted to 96-8 and Barnoldswick took the points with ease. The game between Earby and Cherry Tree was abandoned after the visitors reached 75-1 in 14 overs with Andy Holroyd 54 not out.

On Saturday Barnoldswick collected seven points with Michael Scothern taking 5-48 as Oswaldtwistle were bowled out for 104 after Gerard Metcalfe had taken 5-47 in restricting Barnoldswick to 112-8.

Baxenden made little effort after Padiham set a target of 194-7 from 29 overs with Pankaj Tripathi and Metcalfe scoring half-centuries.

Ribblesdale Wanderers had the edge over a weakened Cherry Tree side who were bowled out for 175 with Naeem Ashraf 53.

Shahid Nawaz for Ribblesdale scored 70 in setting the target of 185.

Earby picked up the points in a low scoring 33 over match. The Applegarth side were bowled out for 89, David O'Neill taking 7-49.

But Whalley were restricted to 83-7 with professional Jonathan Harvey taking 5-38. Great Harwood kept up their chase in the league with a five point victory over Clitheroe, Alan Armer hitting 68 in the home side's total of 184.

Read struggled to 106-9 in difficult batting conditions and Edenfield took advantage with an eight wicket win.

Dave Morrell took five wickets as Settle took the honours against Blackburn Northern and Surindra Bhave rattled up 82 not out as he pushed close to 1,000 runs for the season.

Results - Saturday: Barnoldswick 118-8 (7), Oswaldtwistle 104; Baxenden 66-6, Padiham 194-7 (5); Cherry Tree 175, Ribblesdale Wdrs 184-4 (7); Earby 89 (5), Whalley 83-7 (2); Great Harwood 179-9 (5), Clitheroe 124-9; Read 106-9, Edenfield 111-2 (5); Settle 118-2 (5), Blackburn Northern 115-9.

Sunday: Clitheroe 136-6 (5), Blackburn Northern 97-4; Great Harwood 224-6 (5), Padiham 220-6; Read 136-8, Baxenden 85; Ribblesdale Wdrs 167-3 (5), Oswaldtwistle 163-9; Settle 80-6, Edenfield 184-1 (5); Whalley 96-8, Barnoldswick 100-4 (5); Earby dnb (2), Cherry Tree 75-1 (2) match abandoned.

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