WHALLEY kept up the chase behind reigning Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League champions Clitheroe as they claimed a thrilling win over Salesbury on Saturday.

Restricted to 140-6 at Ribchester Road, Whalley were indebted to 64 from James Galling before the bowlers got down to work.

David Howard was once again the star of the show as he claimed six wickets including that of Red Caps’ professional Susantha Pradeep to a brilliant catch in the slips by Richard Palmer.

Aneeq Hassan looked capable of taking Salesbury over the line but he was stranded on 75 not out as his side were bowled out just three runs short with Howard claiming 6-63.

Clitheroe made light work of Euxton at Chatburn Road as professional Janake Gunaratne claimed another five-wicket haul as the visitors were shot out for just 89 with Clitheroe easing home.

Great Harwood are looking like the real deal and they claimed another fine win, this time at Barnoldswick.

Australian Jack Wildermuth led the way with 108, while Charlie Fernando (55) and Allan Armer (50) also made key contributions as Harwood piled up a daunting 293-4 at Victory Park.

Skipper Luke Hodgson made a battling 52 as Barlick replied but they had no answer to Harwood’s bowling attack as skipper Russ Whalley claimed four wickets to send the Pendle outfit to defeat at 216 all out.

Game of the day came at Gincroft Lane as Edenfield were left stunned by an Oswaldtwistle Immanuel run chase.

Joe McCluskie’s big hitting 69 and a more measured 64 from Paul Gallagher helped Edenfield to 225-9 but Immanuel took great credit for that as they put the brakes on when the home side seemed set for a 300-plus score.

The main reason for that was a return of 5-26 from Oliver Jones.

Immanuel’s reply was solid from the top as Jones (30) and Phil Howard (36) put 81 on for the first wicket but the key men were skipper Jon Baldwin and Neil Weaver.

Baldwin was unbeaten on 49 with Weaver on 33 not out as they strolled over the line by five wickets, although Edenfield helped their cause with 51 extras.

Read beat Earby as Joe Marshall, Elliott Lowes and Conor Lowes all hit half-centuries and Ash Gowers made 95 not out as Brooksbottom finally got off the league mark thanks to a fine win over Padiham.

Eddie Read claimed five wickets and Jack Harrison’s 54 not out led Settle to a win at Baxenden.

Brinscall beat Ribblesdale Wanderers yesterday in a game put back 24 hours to accomodate the village gala.