Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League Saturday round-up (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League Saturday round-up

7:30am Monday 4th June 2012 in Padiham Cricket Club By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel celebrated a first win of the season on Saturday as they finally got off the mark thanks to an excellent success at Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Immanuel were the only side in the Ribblesdale League not to have won in 2012 – but they addressed that thanks to an excellent all-round team effort at Church Meadow.

Batting first Immanuel opening pair Oliver Jones (48) and professional Chris Cook-Martin batted well and shared a 93-run stand for the first wicket before the latter was stumped by Max Cole off Ian Britcliffe.

But Immanuel’s middle order misfired as they slipped from 118-1 to 140-8 despite a solid 20 from Oliver Clare.

In the end Gerard Metcalf hit three fours and a six in a rapid 21 to help his side up to their final total of 169 all out.

Wanderers’ professional Michael Erlank claimed 5-52, while Britcliffe was also in form claiming 4-36.

Ribb lost the dangerous Erlank for 10 as he was bowled by Neil Weaver but Charlie Jackson (21) and David Howard (36) seemed to be leading them towards glory.

However, when they departed the Wanderers innings took a similar path to that of Immanuel with the middle order failing to fire and despite 37 from Mick Clarkson, they were all out for 139.

Metcalf was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed 4-40, while Weaver and Stephen Sipocz also claimed three wickets each as Immanuel had a good day.

While the win didn’t lift Nick Payne’s men off the bottom, they closed the gap on Earby after Baxenden professional Kamran Younas turned into master blaster at Earby.

Younas rode his luck at the Applegarth as he crashed his way to 184 and received fine support from Mark Rishton, who made 59 not out.

That was far too many for Earby, who were bowled out for 112 with debutant Kurt Smithson claiming five wickets.

Chris Holt made 68 not out and Callum Clarke was unbeaten on 54 as Padiham enjoyed a fine win over Edenfield at Gincroft Lane.

The Padiham fielding was sharp as they bowled Jamie Kelly’s men out for 171 before Holt and Clarke steered John Bushell’s outfit over the line.

Great Harwood enjoyed their first game of the season at The Cliffe as they brushed Salesbury aside.

Syed Shahabuddin hit 50 as Harwood defied Susantha Pradeep (7-73) to post 193 all out before the Red Caps struggled with the bat and were all out for 127.

Kashif Siddique hit 86 and Stuart Lemon made 50 as Clitheroe eased past Settle’s 170-7 at Chatburn Road, the efforts of the professional and the former Nelson star seeing the Ribble Valley outfit to a seven-wicket win over the Dalesmen.

Greg Jones once again shone with the bat for Cherry Tree – but he couldn’t help his side to a win at Read.

Jones made 82 as Cherry posted 237-4 but Read got home thanks to Mohammed Jamal and Joe Marshall.

Jamal made 57, while Marshall finished agonisingly short of a ton on 99 not out in the win.

Barnoldswick stay top and stay unbeaten after their big win over Whalley at Station Road.

Whalley were all out for 94 before Barlick coasted home by eight wickets in quick time.