CLITHEROE’S dreams of winning the LCB Lancashire Cup were extinguished yesterday as they found the pace bowling of Liverpool Competition Ormskirk too hot to handle.

Paul Gaskell’s men were always up against it as they make the trip and when Ormskirk managed to post 198 it was going to be an uphill struggle.

And to make matters worse for Clitheroe it was Longridge born and raised Gary Knight who made 78 to top score for the hosts.

The pace of the Ormskirk attack caused Clitheroe early problems from which they never recovered and they were bowled out for 99 as the home side marched into the showpiece.

Saturday wasn’t much better for Gaskell’s men as they suffered only a second league defeat of the season as Settle kept their title charge alive.

The Dalesmen claimed a fine win at Chatburn Road, while Great Harwood won and lost one of their matches over the weekend meaning next Saturday’s showdown with Clitheroe is a huge affair.

Clitheroe thought they had done enough to beat Settle after posting 139-9 on a tough track.

And when Settle slipped to 107-6 it looked to be game over.

But professional Imran Khalid made an unbeaten 60 to steer them over the line.

Great Harwood brushed Oswaldtwistle Immanuel on Saturday but were turned over at Read yesterday.

Joey Marshall’s 90 pushed Read beyond the 200 mark and then professional Brandon Scullard bowled superbly to pick up a collection for six wickets and knock Harwood over for 139.

That completed a perfect weekend for Read after Richard Sharples returned the remarkable figures of 5-6 on Saturday as they hammered Barnoldswick.

David Howard claimed six wickets against his old club as Whalley inflicted more pain on Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Cherry Tree are still waiting to clinch promotion from Section B after their game at Brooksbottom was abandoned.

Zohaib Qureshi made 101 not out and Ash Gowers hit 53 as the Brox rattled up 209-5 but the rain came down and prevented Cherry from replying.

Daryl Losper and Nathan Whitehead both claimed five wickets as Padiham beat Brinscall, while Earby’s promotion bid was also held up as their game at Euxton was abandoned.

But they were chasing a big score after Preston White hit 102 out of 219-5.

Aneeq Hassan’s 80 helped Salesbury to a run-rate win over Edenfield.