READ are setting the early pace in the Vaux Ribblesdale Cricket League senior league.

After three games they top the table with 19 points and a run-rate of 63. Barnoldswick were the victims of Read's good form at Whalley Road on Saturday, as the visitors set a modest total of 96, which Read passed with the loss of just one wicket.

Earby suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of Ribblesdale Wanderers, whose pro, Gurinder Singh, helped them to 241-6. In reply Earby were all out for 142.

Padiham's Stephen Gee put in a good all-round performance as Padiham enjoyed a four-wicket victory at Blackburn Northern. The home side made 96 all out, and Padiham reached 98-6.

Burnley and Pendle teams had no success in the division one fixtures. Belvedere gave themselves a good chance by setting Great Harwood 131 for victory, but the Cliffe Park side reached the target for six wickets.

Rolls-Royce came close to victory after setting Stacksteads 152 and then doing good work with the ball - but Stacksteads scraped home with one wicket standing.

Earby (91) fell short against Ribblesdale Wanderers (126-9), despite good work with the ball by Plant, who took 5-56. Padiham (128) lost by five wickets to Salesbury (132-5).

In the second division Belvedere lost by 10 wickets to Whalley, Barnoldswick beat Read by 27 runs and Burnley GSOB beat Rolls-Royce by 52 runs.

Earby, Belvedere, Padiham and Barnoldswick were all defeated in their third-division matches.

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