CLITHEROE opened up a 14-point lead at the top of the Senior League after the Chatburn Road side managed a win while second-placed Settle’s match at Euxton was abandoned.

But there was a boost for struggling Earby as they recorded their first win of the season in a rain-affected match withSalesbury.

Anton Muller produced an outstanding all-round performance as they defeated their rivals by four wickets after being set a revised target.

Salesbury batted first and were restricted to 142-9 as Muller took 6-48 and Jake Hargreaves (3-41).

Rain left Earby with a target of 96 from 17 overs and they got there with Muller making 33.

Barnoldswick's match with Feniscowles was abandoned just after the start of the second innings.

Shashrika Pussegola top scored with 42. Feniscowles were 1-0 when rain had the final say.

Settle’s 2nd XI players worked hard with staff at Marshfield to mop up the morning’s rain and grabbed ten priceless points in a match reduced to twenty overs.

Whalley were invited to bat and were looking comfortable until Adam Strickland’s unerring throw from third man made the breakthrough.

From then on the bowlers were in control. Simon Tarbox varied his pace adroitly to take 4-26, his best figures for the club, and spinner Josh Mullinder (3-27 from ten overs) proved difficult as ever to get away.

After the visitors finished on 80-9, Mullinder (14) and Rob Johnson (16) got Settle off to a sound start. But the match was finally won by a masterclass in target-chasing on a damp outfield with boundaries at a premium.

Tarbox (21) and Strickland (19no) put fielders under pressure with intelligent placing and brilliant running, stealing singles almost at will and pushing hard for twos and threes.

The result was nevertheless still in the balance until the final over when Settle reached 81-4 and now find themselves only three points behind Craven rivals Earby at the top of Division Two.