Ribblesdale League: Padiham close gap (23 August 1999)

23 August 1999

Ribblesdale League: Padiham close gap

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Veteran Stephen Gee opened up the race for the Jennings Ribblesdale League title as he led Padiham to victory over top club Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Gee, who is due to retire at the end of the season, scored 72 as Padiham set a target of 195-9. Wanderers fell short as the gap at the top of the table closed to five points. Terry Braithwaite took five wickets for 46 runs in the match.

Great Harwood moved up into third place with victory over Whalley. Harwood were dismissed for 118 with Graham Knowles taking 5-24, but Whalley's batting slumped to 81 all out.

Cherry Tree also found batting difficult and were dismissed for 110 by Barnoldswick who claimed a four wicket victory. Victory Park professional Ashraf scored 52 not out with John Hughes taking 5-40.

Earby professional Jonathan Harvey passed 1,000 runs for the season, but could not help his team to victory over Clitheroe. The Ribble Valley side reached 165 with Andy Burns 59 as Andrew Rushton took 5- 53. Earby struggled to 152-9 with Clitheroe professional Benjamin picking up five wickets.

Baxenden were beaten by Read after professional Peter Sleep scored 70 not out and Nick Marsh rattled up 79. Dave Usher scored 77 for Baxenden.

Blackburn Northern secured their third victory of the season when they beat Settle. Mark Lomas, the Northern pro, scored 58 and Darren Walton took four wickets as Settle were bowled out for 89. Russ Whalley scored 56 not out as Oswaldtwistle took a 10 wicket victory over Edenfield.

Results: Baxenden 176-5 (0), Read 178-2 (5); Blackburn Northern 152-8 (7), Settle 89 (0); Cherry Tree 110 (0), Barnoldswick 111-6 (7); Earby 152-9 (2), Clitheroe 165 (5); Oswaldtwistle 106-0 (5), Edenfield 102-8 (0); Padiham 195-9 (7), Ribblesdale Wdrs 161 (0); Whalley 81 (2), Gt Harwood 118 (7).

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (http:www.reednews.co.uk/let/)