CLITHEROE completed the Ribblesdale League treble and made history after beating nearest rivals Settle.

The Chatburn Road side became the first team in the league to win four successive league titles and will now look to avoid defeat in their final two games to go through the entire season unbeaten.

This was Settle’s last chance to topple the league leaders and batting first, they were dismissed for 99.

Despite the relatively low target, Clitheroe were made to work for every run, but eventually got over the winning line with two wickets to spare.

The league title can now be added to Clitheroe’s success in the T20 Cup and the Ramsbottom Cup.

Elsewhere, Oswaldtwistle beat Whalley to give themselves a boost in the relegation battle.

Batting first, Oswaldtwistle scored 192-6, with Mathew Roberts making 59 and captain Daniel Metcalf a patient 46 not out. Joshua Maclean took 4-57. Despite 63 from Yogesh Takawale, Whalley fell well short ending on 125-9, with Jean Marais taking 4-23.

Euxton entertained Great Harwood and it was the visitors who came away with a victory.

Relegation threatened Cherry Tree welcomed Read, who would be mathematically safe with one more win.

Read batted first and scored quickly, getting to 137-2 with lots of overs left, Joey Marshall leading the way with 56 and the experienced sub-pro Joe Scuduri still at the crease.

However, three wickets in three balls with the score on 161 looked to have changed the situation and Read eventually reached 201 for 9. Cherry Tree’s cause was not helped by conceding 52 extras.

Rain then prevented play for some time and when it resumed the target had been reduced to 145 off 28 overs. The innings got off to bad start with Mark Hadfield and Stefan Klopper back in the shed after only three balls of the innings.

The situation didn’t improve for Cherry Tree who were bowled out for a paltry 43, with Andrew Rushton taking 5-26 and Frank Barden 4-15. Cherry Tree will need to improve in the last two games of the season if they are to escape relegation.

In Section B, Padiham maintained their promotion push with an eight-wicket win against Ribblesdale Wanderers. Ribblesdale made 136, with Ryan Canning top scoring with 53, while Curtis Meehan took 5-27.

Padiham scored the required runs for the loss of two wickets, Phil Haggerty top scoring with 36 not out.

The Barnoldswick against Salesbury clash, between first and third, saw Sailsbury the latter bat first and their innings was dominated by a magnificent performance by Neil Hornbuckle who scored 179 not out, hitting 16 boundaries and nine sixes, in their total of 266 for 6.

As with several games, rain meant a reduced target for Barnoldswick of 163 off 22 overs. They made 136 for 8, Umar Saddique top scoring with 40. Andrew Mercer’s 6-65 proved vital.

The above results leave all three teams still looking for promotion with just two matches left.

Brinscall hosted Earby and batted first, making 171, with Phil Lowe and Sam Maclachlan top scoring with 35 each.

Rain meant a reduced target of 134 off 32 overs. Earby were bowled out for 106, with Jake Hargreaves top scoring with 33, the damage being done by Lee Burgess 5-52 and Sam Maclachlan with 4-51.

Baxenden batted first against Feniscowles, making 227 all out with 50 from Gary Sudworth. Feniscowles were bowled out for 96 with Sudworth completing an excellent performance with 6-36.

Outstanding Performances in Divisions One and Two

Batting:

Martin Wrigley – Ribblesdale Wanderers – 61

Bowling:

Roger Grogan – Sailsalesbury – 6-28