Amal Athulathmudali wrote his name into the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League record books yesterday as the Sri Lankan filled in for Salesbury and blasted Brinscall’s bowling attack to a new league record score.

Athulathmudali, the professional with Bolton League side Egerton, smashed a sensational 269 for the Red Caps, creating a new record mark, beating the 237 plundered by Jake Brown for Ribblesdale Wanderers against Blackburn Northern in 2009.

His astonishing effort helped Salesbury up to a league record of 438-7 in 45 overs – and then Athulathmudali proved equally adept with the ball as he claimed five wickets with Brinscall slumping to 61 all out.

Their 371-run defeat was also a new record mark for the Senior League.

And that win also ramped up the pressure on Cherry Tree, who went into the weekend with promotion from Section B in their grasp – but they suffered back-to-back defeats with yesterday’s loss at Padiham coming hot on the heels of Saturday’s reverse at the hands of Euxton.

It also meant Padiham had claimed two wins in two days as they beat Edendfield on Saturday in some style.

Nathan Whitehead’s 53 being the mainstay of 228-9 at Gincroft Lane before the Field were bowled out for 149 with Curtis Meehan and Daryl Losper both claiming three wickets.

Earby got back to winning ways on Saturday as they squeezed home against Salesbury by two wickets – but their joy was short-lived as they were beaten by Brooksbottom yesterday.

Aussie Tim Stephens was the star of the run chase for the Brox as he hit 62.

And it was two wins in the weekend for Euxton as they beat Edenfield yesterday.

Clitheroe are now within touching distance of the championship after another fine weekend for Paul Gaskell’s men.

Jack Dewhurst made 60 on Saturday as they posted 161-8 against Read, recovering well from a precarious position.

And then professional Janake Gunaratne claimed 6-11 to send Read to 84 all out.

And it was maximum points again yesterday as they piled on the pain for cross-town rivals Ribblesdale Wanderers in the derby.

They bowled Wanderers out for 161 before coasting to 163-3.

Great Harwood are refusing to go down without a fight though and they did their bit in their only game of the weekend as they beat Whalley on Saturday.

Syed Shahabuddin made 70 not out and Charlie Fernando was unbeaten on 56 as Harwood strolled to an eight-wicket win.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel claimed a crucial win at Barnoldswick on Saturday and backed that up with a tight one-wicket win at Baxenden yesterday to ease their drop fears, while Imran Khalid claimed seven wickets as Settle maintained their late charge with a fine win against Baxenden on Saturday.

And Eddy Read’s men followed that success with a big win over Read yesterday despite going into the game at Marshfield with a depleted side.