Veka Ribblesdale League. . .

CLITHEROE and Cherry Tree met in the Veka Ribblesdale League with the shadow of a ball-tampering scandal hanging over both clubs.

After bowlers from the teams were reported to the league's disciplinary committee the clubs have been deducted seven points, which deals a major blow to their hopes of a place in next year's LCA knockout competition.

Cherry Tree professional Zahoor Alahi helped his side recoup five points as he scored 87 with Nigel Robbins adding 41 as they raced to 201-7.

Mark Bolton scored 59 for Clitheroe as they reached 155-4 in a rain-affected game, with Cherry Tree taking the points on run-rate.

Read held on to their slender two point lead at the top as they secured a three wicket win at Earby.

The Applegarth club were dismissed for 133 with professional Mohammed Ayub leading the way on 87 as Warren Eastham took 7-42. Read's professional Danny Law scored 58 not out as he saw them to victory.

Settle are still on hot their heels after scoring 193 against Blackburn Northern with Keith Hornby top scorer on 71 not out, while Northern professional Gareth Flusk took 5-40. Stuart Hornby took 5-63 as the Blackburn side were dismissed for 104.

Simon Gorton took 6-21 as Whalley pulled off the surprise result of the day, beating Barnoldswick by six wickets. Gorton's bowling performance saw Barnoldswick back in the pavilion for 112 and the Ribble Valley club knocked off the winning runs with four wickets down.

Pete Usher scored 94 as Baxenden set a target of 181 for Padiham to chase, but they fell 78 runs short.

Brett Storey scored 51 as Edenfield reached 164 but Oswaldtwistle's professional Raja Ali scored 81 as they claimed a three-wicket win. Andrew Crook scored 74 for Great Harwood but it was not enough to save his side after Ribblesdale Wanderers had posted a total of 231-6 with Shahid Nawaz scoring 68 and Martin Briggs adding 63. John Braithwaite then took 6-41 as Harwood struggled to 157.

Results: Barnoldswick 112 (0 points) Whalley 116-4 (7); Baxenden 181 (7), Padiham 103 (2); Blackburn Northern 104 (2), Settle 193 (7); Cherry Tree 201-7 (5), Clitheroe 155-4 (0); Earby 133 (0), Read 135-7 (7); Edenfield 164 (0), Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 165-7 (7); Great Harwood 157 (0), Ribblesdale Wanderers 231-6 (7).