Russ Whalley paid the perfect tribute to his late father Eric with a match-winning half-century as Great Harwood’s fine run in the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League continued on Saturday.

Whalley senior died on Friday night aged 73 and there was a sombre mood around Harwood, a club he was so close too.

And it was fitting that Russ led them over the line in a match they always want to win against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Stuart Maher claimed five wickets as Immanuel were bowled out for 125 but at 47-5 Harwood were rocking.

But Whalley stepped up to the mark and played a wonderful innings.

He hit 56 from just 44 balls with 10 fours and one six to take Harwood to the brink of victory before Allan Armer’s 26 got them home with two wickets in hand.

James Galling made 80 and Dave Howard claimed six wickets as Whalley maintained their charge behind leaders Clitheroe as they beat Edenfield with plenty to spare at Station Road.

Galling’s runs helped Whalley up to 174-4 before Howard, who is having a fine season, helped knock over Edenfield for 131.

But Clitheroe don’t seem to be feeling the pressure at the top and they brushed aside the challenge of Barnoldswick at Victory Park to remain unbeaten.

Barlick were bowled out for just 119 before Tom Lord hit 60 and professional Janaka Gunaratne 57 in an eight-wicket win.

Read were winners at Cherry Tree but there were encouraging signs for the home side at Preston Old Road.

Read had borrowed Lancashire’s former Zimbabwean opening bowler Kyle Jarvis but skipper Mark Hadfield made a half-century and Michael Timmis enjoyed a good debut as he made 27 out of an 86-run opening stand.

Ammer Ullah also made 47 as Tree closed on 178-6 with Michael Taylor claiming three wickets.

Read them got home by five wickets with three overs to spare with good contributions from Mohammed Zafran (43) and Jon Harvey (36).

Settle beat Brooksbottom by five wickets at Marshfield, while Susantha Pradeep was the star with the ball as Salesbury won at Brinscall.

The classy Sri Lankan claimed 8-24 as the league new boys crashed to 68 all out at School Lane.

The Red Caps had earlier posted a total of 222-7 with Jason Rawson hitting 58 and Peter Blackman made 43 while Mohammed Shabaz smashed 30 from 13 balls.

Preston White hit 101 out of Euxton’s 148-9 but the Aussie couldn’t help his side to a win over Baxenden.

White hit 11 fours and three sixes in his knock but Bash’s Mark Rishton (57 not out) and David Mills (49 not out) eased their side to a comfortable win.

Ribblesdale Wanderers won the warm-up for the Ramsbottom Cup semi-final as they beat Padiham with plenty to spare at Church Meadow.