READ let their challenge at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League slip as they fell to a three wicket defeat at the hands of Whalley.

The Ribble Valley club secured the win with just four balls to spare with Andy Pratt top scoring on 51 as Read professional Akram Raza took 5-56.

Earlier Craig Walton had led Read's batting attack with 58 as David O'Neill took 5-44 and Raza picked up 5-46.

Barnoldswick moved to within one point of top club Cherry Tree after beating Great Harwood in a low scoring game. Young spin bowler John Pickup did most of the damage taking four wickets for just 15 runs as Great Harwood were dismissed for 84.

Ian Scothern scored 37 not out and Barnoldswick professional Clinton Peake an undefeated 47 as they secured a 10 wicket win.

Cherry Tree had to settle for five points from their seven wicket win over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel who set a target of 137-6.

Settle's charge to the top also faltered after they restricted Clitheroe to 134-8 with professional Stuart Hornby taking 4-63.

The Dales side were looking good, but lost three wickets in a dramatic collapse as Dexter Fitton picked up 5-50 to leave them 14 runs short.

Earby picked up a six wicket win over Edenfield after Trevor Kegg took six wickets to leave the Rossendale side on 191-8. Chris Walton scored 72 as Earby secured the win.

Padiham stepped up a place in the table after taking maximum points from Blackburn Northern. Lee Childs took 4-23 as Northern were dismissed for 107 after Padiham had set a target of 179 with Anthony Hall top scoring on 65.

Baxenden took the honours with a four wicket win over Ribblesdale Wanderers. Professional Jonathan Harvey took 5-42 as Wanderers were dismissed for 123 and Dave Usher led Baxenden's batting attack with 44.

Results -- Senior Division: Barnoldswick 85-0 (7) Gt Harwood 84 (0); Cherry Tree 138-5 (5) Oswaldtwistle Imm 137-6 (0); Edenfield 191-8 (0) Earby 192-4 (5); Padiham 179 (7) Blackburn Northern 107 (2); Read 195-7 (0) Whalley 199-7 (5); Ribblesdale Wdrs 123 (0) Baxenden 125-6 (7); Settle 120 (0) Clitheroe 134-8 (7).

TABLE

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Cherry Tree... 17 9 3 14 5 69

Barnoldswick... 17 10 3 10 4 68

Read... 17 9 4 8 4 61

Settle... 17 9 6 12 2 61

Padiham... 17 8 4 10 5 60

Earby... 17 9 6 10 2 59

Clitheroe... 17 7 6 10 4 53

Ribblesdale W... 17 5 8 14 4 47

Gt Harwood... 17 7 8 6 2 45

Whalley... 17 6 7 7 4 44

Blackburn N... 17 4 8 8 5 38

Baxenden... 17 3 8 8 6 35

Edenfield... 17 2 10 6 5 26

Oswle Imm... 17 2 9 4 6 26