Baxenden suffered their first defeat of the Ribblesdale League season but still retain leadership.

However, Barnoldswick and Read closed the gap at the top with back-to-back weekend victories.

Read ended Baxenden’s six match winning start to the campaign thanks to a four wicket win at Whalley Road.

But it took some lusty hitting to get Read home as they smashed 41 from the final three and a half overs to win the game And they completed their Bank Holiday programme by taking maximum points yesterday against Padiham.

Will Driver hit successive half centuries, including 92 in Read’s 202-5 win over the Arbories outfit.

Baber Naeem claimed runs and wickets in Baxenden’s two performances. He made 61 against Read and then took 6-14 to skittle Great Harwood for just 72.

Barnoldswick, who haven’t won the championship since 1992, enjoyed a 10 wicket win over Earby yesterday.

Jaffar Nazir took 5-36 to restrict the home side to 100-9 before Matthew Nutter’s unbeaten 74 gave Barlick a 10 point win.

Barnoldswick beat Edenfield by 47 runs on Saturday with Umar Siddique hitting 81 and only trail Baxenden by three points.

All teams have now opened their accounts with Cherry Tree getting off the mark at the seventh time of asking.

Not content with a 75 run win against Salesbury, the men from Preston Old Road beat Whalley by 39 runs thanks to Paul Turner hitting 86 from 145-6.

Twenty four hours earlier Whalley tied with Oswaldtwistle.

Chasing 116 to win Ossie, needing eight off the final over, missed their chance when Imran Abid was run out off the last ball.

However, Abid initially set-up the victory chance with 7-45. Settle are now bottom after losing to Great Harwood and Salesbury.

Results

Saturday

Clitheroe 86 Padiham 72, Clitheroe won by 14 runs.

Earby 138 Ribblesdale W 205, Ribblesdale won by 67 runs.

Edenfield 183 Barnoldswick 230-8, Barnoldswick won by 47 runs.

Great Harwood 175-5 Settle 87, Great Harwood won by 88 runs.

Read 203-6 Baxenden 199-9, Read won by four wickets.

Salesbury 116 Cherry Tree 191-6, Cherry Tree won by 75 runs.

Whalley 115 Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 115-9, match tied.

Sunday

Clitheroe 160-9 Ribb’dale W 153-7, Clitheroe won by seven runs.

Earby 100-9 Barnoldswick 103-0, Barnoldswick won by 10 wickets.

Edenfield 108 Oswaldtwistle 109-3, O’twistle won by seven wickets.

Great Harwood 72 Baxenden 120, Baxenden won by 48 runs.

Read 202-5 Padiham 144, Read won by 58 runs.

Settle 161-8 Salesbury 159-9, Settle won by two wickets.

Whalley 106 Cherry Tree 145-6, Cherry Tree won by 39 runs.