DEXTER Fitton led Clitheroe into the semi-finals of the Jennings Ramsbottom Cup with a brilliant century against Baxenden.

The Clitheroe professional scored 103 not out as his side raced to a six wicket victory which set up a meeting with Cherry Tree.

The Blackburn club had professional Naeem Ashraf to thank as they set Great Harwood a target of 245-6. Ashraf scored 65 and was backed up by Gary Bolton (60). Harwood reached 209 with Matt Haworth top scoring on 61.

Read took the honours against Padiham with Terry Little leading the way on 110 professional Peter Sleep added 75 as they raced to 270-6. Padiham were dismissed for 167.

In the league Cherry Tree go back to the top after a handsome victory over Barnoldswick. Alan Grogan top scored with 72 as they reached 212-5 and Barnoldswick's chase collapsed at 149.

Second placed Padiham also enjoyed an impressive nine wicket victory over Earby. Professional Ajay Sharma took 4-30 as the Applegarth club struggled to 178-9 and he followed up with 57 not out. Pankaj Tripathi top scored on 101 not out.

Ribblesdale Wanderers collected the points against Settle with Shaheed Nawaz leading the way on 44. Mark Verden scored 59 for the Dales side but it was not enough as Dave Howard collected 6-49.

Graham Knowles (58) and Dave Pearson (44) led Whalley to victory over Great Harwood. Knowles had earlier taken six wickets as Harwood were dismissed for 174 despite a half century from David Chew.

Read professional Peter Sleep rattled up the highest scored of the day with 120 not out as Read set a target of 226-2 against Edenfield. They held out with nine wickets down with John Kershaw scoring 61. Clitheroe had Steve Bishop (69) to thank for a good start to their innings and he was supported by Andy Burns (50) as they scored 222-8. Oswaldtwistle reached 167-6 in reply.

Baxenden had a comfortable nine wicket victory over Blackburn Northern after Liam Bones took 6-36. Dave Usher top scored for Baxenden with 31. Results:

Baxenden 85-1 (7), Blackburn Northern 80 (0); Cherry Tree 212-5 (7), Barnoldswick 149; Clitheroe 222-8 (5), Oswaldtwistle Imm 167-6 (0); Earby 178-9 (0), Padiham 182-1 (5); Edenfield 164-9 (0), Read 226-2 (5); Great Harwood 174 (0), Whalley 183-8 (7); Ribblesdale Wdrs 155-6 (7), Settle 149 (0).

Cup: Baxenden 172-8 Clitheroe 173-4; Cherry Tree 245-6 Great Harwood 209; Read 270-6 Padiham 167.

Semi-final draw (to be played Sunday, July 2): Clitheroe v Cherry Tree; Read v Earby. TABLE

P W L Bp Nr Pts

Cherry Tree... 11 7 2 4 2 43

Padiham... 11 6 1 4 4 42

Ribblesdale W... 11 6 2 6 3 42

Read... 11 5 3 6 3 37

Gt Harwood... 11 5 3 6 3 37

Earby... 11 4 4 4 3 30

Whalley... 11 3 5 6 3 27

Clitheroe... 11 4 4 0 3 26

Baxenden... 11 3 4 2 4 25

Oswaldtwistle I... 11 2 5 4 4 22

Barnoldswick... 11 3 5 0 3 21

Settle... 11 3 6 2 2 21

Bbn Northern... 11 2 5 2 4 20

Edenfield... 11 2 6 2 3 18