Baxenden can secure a second Ribblesdale League title in three years with victory in their penultimate senior league game at Padiham on Saturday.

Bash bounced back from the shock of Saturday defeat to Whalley on Sunday as they beat Great Harwood at Back Lane.

And now Andy Caunce’s men require just 12 points from their last two matches to succeed Clitheroe as champions.

Despite losing the first of their weekend double header against Whalley, Baxenden closed in on the trophy with Sunday’s 85 run win against Great Harwood.

Simon Payne, who just about managed to fly out of New York before Hurricane Irene hit, scored an unbeaten 58 on Sundday as Baxenden reached 197-6.

The home side then dismissed Harwood for 112 to make amends for their slip-up against Whalley 24 hours earlier.

Kamran Younas was the Whalley hero against Baxenden with a magnificent 110 out of 181-9.

Only Richard Lamb (28) reached double figures with extras third highest ‘scorer’ on 15.

Mark Rishton notched 68 in Baxenden’s reply but needing 11 off the last over, the home side fell just short despite hitting six off the final ball.

Younas starred with the ball on Sunday, claiming 8-44 as Whalley thumped Cherry Tree by six wickets to stay fourth.

Read, who travel to Earby on Saturday, kept up the pressure with two wins but can only hope for any Baxenden slip-up.

The Whalley Road outfit defeated Edenfield by 15 runs on Saturday and grabbed a vital seven wicket victory at Padiham 24 hours later.

However, they remain 13 points behind Baxenden and three ahead of third placed Barnoldswick.

Unfortunately for Barnoldswick they have re-discovered their best form too late to deny Baxenden top spot.

They thrashed Earby by 165 runs on Sunday after beating Salesbury by 65 runs the previous day.

Salesbury, bottom of the table Settle and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel are all still potential recipients of the wooden spoon.

Settle are away to Ribblesdale Wanderers this weekend while ‘Ossie’ host Salesbury.

Results

Saturday: Barnoldswick 216-8 Salesbury 151, Barnoldswick won by 65 runs.

Baxenden 180-9 Whalley 181-9, Whalley won by one run.

Earby 116 Clitheroe 138, Clitheroe won by 22 runs.

Edenfield 168-9 Read 183, Read won by 15 runs.

Great Harwood 159-9 Oswaldtwistle I143-9, Great Harwood won by 16 runs.

Padiham 231 Settle 140, Padiham won by 91 runs.

Ribblesdale W 68 Cherry Tree 69-3, Cherry T won by seven wickets.

Sunday: Barnoldswick 232-3 Earby 67, Barnoldswick won by 165 runs.

Baxenden 197-6 Great Harwood 112, Baxenden won by 85 runs.

Cherry Tree 114 Whalley 120-4, Whalley won by six wickets.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 71 Edenfield 72-3, Edenfield won by seven wickets.

Padiham 96-9 Read 97-3, Read won by seven wickets.

Ribblesdale Wanderers 123-7 Clitheroe 77-8, Ribblesdale won by 46 runs.

Salesbury 165-4 Settle 162-5, Salesbury won by three runs.