CO-BOSS Neil Bolton hailed the Ribblesdale League heroes as the representative team raised their game in the sun on Sunday to record a superb win over the Lancashire County League in the JW Lees Lancashire Inter League Knockout.

And joint team manager Bolton singled out spinner Chris Holt for special mention as the Read spinner answered a late call to play before claiming five wickets to bowl the representative side to glory.

“Chris did well,” said Bolton. “We had a withdrawal on Saturday night and after a few phone calls between skipper Mark Rishton and selector Wilf Woodhouse, we decided to call Chris in.

“It shows we have plenty of good players in the league and everyone did the league proud on the day.”

Rishton won the toss and chose to bat on a peach of a track at Barnoldswick’s Victory Park and Bolton added: “Barlick did a cracking job for the game and really made it an event. They worked really hard in the week to produce a belting track and we had a chat and decided that batting would be the best option.”

The league side lost an early wicket but Clitheroe skipper Peter Dibb and Read’s Kyle O’Connor both batted beautifully for 67 and 53 respectively before they were run out.

Then Padiham’s Umar Saddique smashed a 20-ball 40, including an audacious flip over the wicket-keeper.

“We set ourselves a 250 target and we did that,” added Bolton.

“The lads batted well and it gave the lower order the chance to swing the willow.”

As the Lancashire County League replied, it became the Holt show.

He claimed 5-49 as the visitors were all out for 203 despite a brave chase.

“They were well in the game for a long spell,” said Bolton.

“It was a tight game but we came through in the end and won well.”

The league’s reward for the win is a home tie with the North Lancashire and Cumbria League at Baxenden next month.

The Northern raiders stunned the fancied Central Lancashire League on Sunday in their game at Furness CC.

“If we get the weather, it will be a cracking day at Bash,” said Bolton.

“But we have to make changes as both Holt and O’Connor are on holiday.

“But we will get some lads in to replace them and look forward to the match.

“The North Lancs League obviously have something about them but we will give it a good shot.”

But there was disappointment for the Colts as they were beaten by 27 runs by the Central Lancashire League Colts at Middleton.