Barnoldswick repeated their Ramsbottom Cup semi-final win over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel to stay top of the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League.

But Baxenden produced one of the performances of the year to keep pace with the Victory Park outfit. And this Sunday’s Rams- bottom Cup final between the pair at New Lane is shaping up to be a classic.

Bowled out for 56 by Clitheroe at Chatburn Road, the champions looked certain to suffer their fifth defeat of the campaign.

However, Liam Riley’s inspirational bowling stint helped dismiss stunned Clitheroe for only 24.

The match aggregate of 80 wasn’t a record but certainly raised eyebrows when news filtered back to rival clubs.

Leaders Barnoldswick were also involved in a low-scoring game just a week after making 234 in their cup success over Oswaldtwistle However, this time a total of 95 was good enough to make it 12 wins in 16 games for Barnoldswick.

John Baldwin (4-54) and Gerard Metcalf (4-22) were largely responsible for keeping Barnoldswick under three figures. When Ossie began their reply, Imran Khalid was soon among the wickets, finishing with 6-17 as Oswaldtwistle were skittled for 57.

Barnoldswick now have a 29 points lead over second-placed Read after they found trouble against Settle .

Their pro Mansoor Amjad was back in form, hitting 68 and Tiarnan Hamill scored a sumptuous unbeaten 66 at a run a ball. This set the stage for Tom Davidson to completely demolish the home bowling, smashing seven sixes in a whirlwind knock of 72, his highest score at this level. In reply, Read found their namesake had come back to haunt them with another devastating performance. Eddy Read bowled at amazing pace for 18 overs to claim 5-48, his best return in three years.

Spinner Amjad had an all-rounder’s dream day with his five for 67, and the icing on the cake was provided by Hamill.

He took five victims to become joint leading wicketkeeper in the Senior League this season. This resounding win has upset all predictions and given Settle a sniff at the title.

Settle seconds made a cleansweep in their double header against Brinscall. The visitors were firstly skittled out for just 24 as Damon Barrett (3-4) and Tom Shepherd (3-13) set up an eight-wicket win.

In the reverse fixture, Ben Lee (4-18) restricted Brinscall to 73, then as Settle wickets tumbled, Will Met-calfe carried his bat for 35 not out.

Under-13 Benjamin Hulse, batting at number ten, struck the winning four to secure a two-wicket win for his side.