STACKSTEADS seconds celebrated long into Saturday night after they finally had something to cheer as the villagers claimed a first Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League Division One win in four years!

The long-time whipping boys enjoyed their day to remember as they beat Feniscowles to register a mark in their win column after a lengthy wait.

Matt Worsley contributed 71 out of 92 to help Stacksteads seconds to the landmark win and by a neat twist of family fate dad Gren Worsley was captain when the New Hall Hey side previously won its last game against Salesbury.

Dilip Sarkar backed up Worsley’s batting performance by returning bowling figures of 5-12 as visitors Feniscowles seconds were dismissed for 87.

“It’s been a long wait,” said delighted skipper Doug Tattersall. “So, I am ecstatic.”

Stacksteads’ long overdue win was particularly sweet for youngsters, Paul Chambers and Max Hussey, members of the side hammered by Settle in their 2012 record breaking win.

On that infamous occasion, Nick Cockell smashed 275 out of Settle’s 467-1 before Stacksteads, fielding only nine players, were shot out for 15.

This weekend Hussey chipped in with two wickets as Feniscowles were vanquished while Chambers second top scored behind Worsley with seven.

While events at New Hall Hey were grabbing the headlines, Great Harwood also managed to keep up their pursuit of Senior League leaders Clitheroe - but that win at Euxton also marked the final game for their classy professional Jack Wildermuth.

The Aussie has been told to return to Australia by Queensland because of a minor injury but he played his part as Harwood maintained their second spot.

Paul Newton claimed 6-42 as Euxton were bowled out for 122 before Harwood got home by four wickets.

Wildermuth made 24 on his final appearance before becoming one of four victims for Preston White but 37 from Paul Whalley and 27 from Paul Houldsworth ensured victory.

However, their hopes of cutting the gap on the leaders were dashed as unbeaten Clitheroe scored another routine win with Salesbury the visitors on this latest occasion.

Janaka Gunaratne was the hero with 6-56 as Salesbury were dismissed for 171 before hitting an unbeaten 80 out of the home side’s 175-1.

Ramsbottom Cup finalists, Cherry Tree and Ribblesdale Wanderers, suffered contrasting fortunes ahead of their big day at Earby. Mark Hadfield made 83 not out and overseas amateur Ruan Sadler hit an unbeaten 52 as they earned Tree an eight wicket win at Earby who could only manage 149-9 at the close.

Wanderers didn’t even reach three figures as they chased Barnoldswick’s 241-8 as Mohammed Saffii’s 5-33 reduced them to 99 all out.

Whalley fell victim to the shock of the day as they were crushed by Brinscall.

Sam MacLachlan was the hero for the league new boys as he claimed 6-23 to demolish the high-flyers for just 70 with only Lee Burgess (34) making much of an impact.

Phil Lowe hit an unbeaten 22 and Whalley offered up 25 extras as Brinscall coasted to a nine-wicket win.

Kieran Grimshaw made 81 and Brandon Scullard hit 63 as Read beat Edenfielde.

Their efforts helped Read up to 234-6 and despite 92 from Paul Gallagher and 49 from Joe McCluskie the home side were 12 runs short at the end.

Baxenden piled on the runs to beat Padiham at the Arbories, their 295-9 being 102 too many for the hosts, while Settle beat Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.