CHAMPIONS Clitheroe took advantage of Settle's Saturday off to reclaim top spot in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League.

And high flyers Euxton continue to impress as they maintained their lead at the head of Section B with an exciting win against Earby.

Clitheroe defeated Padiham by 39 runs and now have a nine-point lead over double-chasing Settle.

Earby suffered last-ball agony as Euxton scampered a bye to scrape a two-wicket win in a nail-biting encounter.

Earby pro Dave Crotty made 63 as his team were dismissed for 181 as

Only Settle have attained more points this season than Euxton whose latest win was a nail biter at Balshaw Park. Batting first, Earby were dismissed 181 as Franny Haasbroek recorded figures of 6-44

Sam Tolley compiled 51, all but seven from boundaries, in the reply and was fourth out at 132. Two wickets fell at 152 and when Andrew Winrow was eighth out, Euxton still needed nine with balls running out.

With the last delivery of the game, the home side required one run, duly achieved as James Hill and Louis Sweeney scampered through for a bye to avoid the senior league's fifth tie of the year.

Barnoldswick and Cherry Tree shared 510 runs at Victory Park where Abdul Saddique ended on the losing side despite an unbeaten 144 from the home team's 254-3.

Saddique batted for 160 balls, hitting 19 fours and two sixes before Amar Ullah's 105 not out – with nine fours and four sixes – helped Cherry Tree to a four-wicket win.

After a highly-promising start to their home match against Ribblesdale Wanders, Settle seconds missed a chance to pull clear of Division One relegation danger.

An opening stand of 65 from John Davidson (78) and Shaun Airey (43) saw both players scoring at a run a ball. Davidson’s career-best knock held the innings together when the middle order went cheaply.

The side was rallied by an excellent stand from juniors Benjamin Hulse (20) and Daniel Strickland (18) who helped their side to a total of 182 all out.

Strickland and Josh Mullinder both struck early in reply, but the wickets dried up as bowlers struggled to contain a Wanderers assault.

Mullinder returned fine figures of 4-30 but his flurry of dismissals came too late to prevent the visitors reaching 183-5 inside 38 overs.