Harwood title hopes hit

A topsy turvey weekend saw Great Harwood lose their lead at the top of the Ribblesdale League table after losing at Earby on Sunday. Two wins for Clitheroe took them into second spot but Settle’s victory over Read on Sunday took Andrew Davidson’s men to the top.

Great Harwood beat fellow title challengers Edenfield by 5 wickets on Saturday to open up a five point lead over Settle who were beaten by  Clitheroe. Edenfield made 138-8.

Baxenden lost to Read by 42 runs. The current champions made 166-3 but Baxenden could only make 124-8 in reply.

It was a similar story at New Lane where Earby made 184-7. Oswaldtwistle Immanuel were restricted to 163-9 in reply and remain in bottom slot.

A surprise defeat at the Applegarth on Sunday saw Harwood drop back into third place. Paul Houldsworth and professional Martin Nurse made 25 apiece but Harwood could only make 144. A half century from Earby paid man Mohammed Ayub put the home side in control but Paul Newton had him caught by Geoff Allen to spark a fightback. Newton finished with 5-37 and Nurse 4-66 as Earby got home by 1 wicket in a tense finale.

Immanuel went down to a 9 wicket thrashing by Clitheroe after being bowled out for 137.

Baxenden had a good win at Cherry Tree. A half century from Pete Usher and 44 from Gary Sudworth took Baxenden from the perils of 52-6 to a respectable 162-8. Professional Indika Gallage then took 4-36 and Steve Malloy 3-50 to put Baxenden on top. James Capstick then polished the home side off taking the final two wickets for just 2 runs as Cherry Tree were bowled out for 146.