CHERRY Tree extended their lead at the top of the Jennings Ribblesdale League with a 52 run victory over second placed Read yesterday.

Lee Kennedy cracked 55 not out and Gary Bolton scored 44 as the Blackburn club set a target of 183-6. Naeem Ashraf took 5-51 as the Read side fell short in their reply.

Great Harwood stepped up to second place after a big hitting performance against Ribblesdale Wanderers. Paul Houldsworth scored 90 not out with Ian Haworth adding 70 and Daniel Cheesbrough's 61 including what is thought to be the fastest 50 in the league.

Paul Newton then took six wickets as Wanderers were shot out for 145.

Baxenden saw their side back in the pavilion for 81 but Liam Bones stepped up with an impressive bowling performance, taking 8-11 as Oswaldtwistle were dismissed for just 28.

Quasim Ali took 6-44 including a hat trick as Blackburn Northern were dismissed for 176 with Mumwar Chariwala scoring 58. Neil Weaver snapped up 5-39 as Padiham were dismissed for 75 in their reply.

Dexter Fitton led Clitheroe to a total of 201-7 scoring 63 while Chris Musson added 51. Earby made a valiant effort but fell just short despite Andrew Rushton's 46 not out.

Settle professional Stuart Hornby earned his keep with 45 and 7-32 as the Dales side secured a comfortable victory over Edenfield.

Dave Overy scored 46 not out for Whalley but their total of 135-8 was not enough as Matthew Plant rattled up 49 not out in Barnoldswick's five-wicket win.

On Saturday Great Harwood began the weekend with another 200 plus total but the runs were shared out with number 10 batsman Paul Newton top scoring on 34 as Whalley's Graham Knowles took seven wickets for 110. Lee Kearsley reached a half-century for Whalley but Newton picked up 4-36 as they were dismissed for 124.

Neil Bibby snapped up 6-19 as Oswaldtwistle were dismissed for 81 and Clitheroe went on to claim a six-wicket win. Settle's total of 122-9 was not enough as Ribblesdale Wanderers secured a four wicket win.

Baxenden were dismissed for just 116 as Neil Weaver took 6-50 to secure a win for Blackburn Northern.

Cherry Tree reached 180-8 and then dismissed Barnoldswick for 56 to pick up maximum points.

Faheem Fazal earned his keep for Padiham with 56 with the bat and 5-57 as they secured a comfortable victory over Earby despite Trevor Kegg's 5-55 performance.

Edenfield reached 128-7 but Read secured victory with Michael Whalley scoring 52 in their reply.

Scores -- Saturday: Baxenden 116 (0) Blackburn Northern 161-9 (7); Cherry Tree 180-8 (7) Barnoldswick 56 (0); Padiham 174-9 (7) Earby 112 (0); Edenfield 128-7 (0) Read 129-06 (5); Great Harwood 204-9 (7) Whalley 124 (0); Oswaldtwistle 81 (0) Clitheroe 82-4 (7); Ribblesdale Wdrs 128-6 (5) Settle 122-9 (0).

Sunday: Blackburn N 176 (7) Padiham 75 (2); Clitheroe 183-6 (5) Read 131-8 (0); Clitheroe 201-7 (5) Earby 189-8 (0); Great Harwood 275-4 (7) Ribblesdale Wdrs 145 (0); Oswaldtwistle Imm 28 (2) Baxenden 81 (7); Settle 149-6 (7) Edenfield 85 (0); Whalley 135-8 (0) Barnoldswick 137-5 (5).