IT was good weekend for Read in the Ribblesdale Cricket League.
Barnoldswick’s latest abandoned game of the season allowed teh Whalley Road side and Baxenden to make up ground on another soggy Saturday..
Barlick haven’t lost in 16 senior division outings but six matches have been washed out including their most recent fixture against Great Harwood.
So with Read winning at Ramsbottom Cup semi-finalists, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, and Baxenden defeating Settle at Marshfield, their lead at the top is down to 17 points.
Champions Baxenden were dismissed for 170 but Settle’s rain interupted reply towards a revised target saw them eventually marooned on 97-7 with 13 overs remaining. Kamran Younas top scored for the visitors with 52 while Andrew Davidson took 5-59.
Second placed Read piled up the runs at New Lane.
Mohammed Jamal was unbeaten on 91 and Jordan Clark contributed 57 out of 249-4. ‘Ossie’ needed 218 to take the points but made only 162-7. Jon Harvey claimed six of the wickets to fall for 73.
The only other top flight match to reach a conclusion came at Preston Old Road. But Cherry Tree’s successful attempt to get the game played wasn’t rewarded with a win.
The home side were dimissed for 130 with Chris Holt and Steve Meehan sharing the wickets. Holt took 6-39 and Meehan 4-86 from 22 overs apiece.
Holt was the hero again as Padiham chased 127 for victory. He top scored with 50 with the visitors 22-4 at one stage. Chris Swift (22) and Tom Mustoe (20 not out) made vital contributions.
All other games were abandoned, including Ribblesdale Wanderers game at home to Salesbury. The home side were on 15-2, chasing down Salesbury’s total of 132-9, when the heavens opened.