Barnoldswick suffered a crushing defeat on Sunday against leaders Clitheroe, who now have one hand on the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League title.
With five games remaining, the Chatburn Road side hold a 39 points lead at the head of the senior league after a 145-run win.
“Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” admitted Barlick skipper, Liam Bedford after this unexpectedly one-sided rout of the outclassed defending champions.
Batting first, Clitheroe posted 216-6 from their 45 overs with Kashif Siddique and Peter Dibb hitting half centuries.
Barnoldswick never threatened to chase down their target as Josh Marquet was quickly among the wickets.
Marquet finished with 5-32 as the home team were bowled out for only 71.
Clitheroe, third 12 months ago and champions for the last time in 2010, could now collect the trophy after this weekend’s forthcoming double header.
Barnoldswick remain favourites for second place but Baxenden’s nine-wicket win over Settle opens the door for a three-team chase for third with Read.
A half century from Susantha Pradeep earned Salesbury a two wicket triumph over Earby.
Sri Lankan professional Pradeep hit 65 as the Red Caps passed their target of 156-9.
Jason Rawson added 35 for the hosts.
Earlier, Edward Foster and Stephen Brown both took four wickets for Salesbury.
Earby professional Fahid Rehman hit 51 off 72 balls before being third man out at 82, while Lee Parkinson added 40 off 41 balls as he helped take the score from 98-6 to 153-7.
All Saturday’s games were washed out.
Tomorrow Barnoldswick host Cherry Tree, while Earby are at Euxton, and on Sunday it is derby day at the Applegarth. Wickets are pitched at 1-30 p.m. on both days.
