Ribblesdale League: Unbeatable duo out on their own (24 May 1999)

24 May 1999

Ribblesdale League: Unbeatable duo out on their own

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

It's neck and neck between Ribblesdale Wanderers and Padiham at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League.

The top two from last season have yet to lose a game after another successful double header.

Champions Padiham had two comfortable victories, professional Mark Harvey disposing of Edenfield with a half century after Sean Rashid had ripped through their innings with 7-55.

Then it was Nasser Mehmood's turn to shine on Sunday against Read, with 50 out of a total of 210-8 and 5-53 as Peter Sleep's side chased in vain.

Ribblesdale Wanderers victory over Great Harwood was a closer affair with pro Shahid Nawaz scoring 72 as Wanderers lost eight wickets in chasing 157, Nawaz again taking five wickets.

Martin Briggs (54) and Nawaz (71 not out) secured victory on Sunday against rivals Clitheroe after the home side were restricted to 160-8.

Cherry Tree lost their own unbeaten record at Read after setting a formidable total of 244-4, pro Naeem Ashraf smashing an unbeaten 104 not out.

But a ton from in-form Terry Little backed by 60 from Sleep set up a six-wixket victory.

Ashraf was in form with the ball as his side made amends on Sunday, sharing 10 Blackburn Northern wickets with John Hughes, Neil Weaver hitting 60 for the home side. Cherry Tree's response wobbled before dashing strokeplay from Shahid Shehzy secured victory.

That completed a miserable weekend for Northern after half centuries from Baxenden batsman Andy Holroyd and Peter Usher surpassed a Northern target of 156 set up with 50 from professional Mark Lomas.

And Baxenden made it a double celebration with a comfortable victory over Edenfield, David Usher leading the way with 57 before Steve Bullock took seven Edenfield wickets for 47 as their reply fell short.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel broke their duck on Sunday with a close win over Great Harwood, thanks to 62 from Roger Watson. Harwood fell four runs short of the target with nine wickets down.

Another 50 from Watson the rpevious day against Clitheroe had not been enough for victory, as the visitors secured a win with a seven down.

Whalley had a successful weekend, beating Earby by 10 runs on Saturday thanks to a 5-45 spell from Jason Smith and despite 85 from Jonathan Harvey.

Settle were their victims on Sunday as a target of 199, set up by 91 from Darryl Redhead and 55 from Paul McIntosh, who had to retire hurt, proved too much as Steve Gray weighed in with five wickets.

The Dalesmen enjoyed a win against Barnoldswick as prolific pro Surrendra Bhave his an unbeaten 93 as Settle cruised past the Barnoldswick total of 192-4, with Ian Scothern hitting 76 for the home side.

Barnoldswick made amends against neighbours Earby the next day when a target of 185, Paul Beech top-scoring with 65 and Andrew Rushton taking five wickets, proved too much.

Source :: The Lancashire Evening Telegraph