An England-like batting collapse did for the Veka Ribblesdale League’s chances of lifting the JW Lees Inter League Trophy at Great Harwood on Sunday afternoon.

Russell Whalley, playing on his home ground, top scored with 35 as the Ribblesdale League were bowled out for just 122 in 41 overs by the Bolton League attack.

It was a bad start for the locals with both Clitheroe skipper Peter Dibb and Barnoldswick’s Matthew Nutter falling cheaply and then captain Mark Rishton could only make seven.

Chris Holt matched that score and the Ribblesdale League were in deep trouble until Whalley got going.

Then there were late bursts from Baxenden’s Gary Sudworth (25) and Read’s Warren Eastham (24) and they helped the score into three figures.

That target didn’t seem enough for a strong Bolton League side and in their reply, they reached victory in just 21.2 overs.

Man of the match James Reynard top scored with 39 to follow on from his 3-18 from eight overs in the Ribblesdale League innings.

Sudworth and Holt were the two wicket-takers on a disappointing day.

Joint team boss Stephen Hipgrave was a disappointed man with the defeat and lamented: “We didn’t play as well as we could.

“We won the toss and batted but we got off to a bad start and were 1-0 after six overs so it really was a 39-over game for us.

“The Bolton League bowled okay and Russell batted quite well for us but we needed a score of about 200 and we never got close.

“And then we didn’t really have a chance. We needed early wickets but they didn’t come.

“It is frustrating because it is the second time we have failed against them.

“But on the plus side, we did well to get to the final, although it is annoying to lose the big game in the manner in which we did when we could have gone on to win it.”

Meanwhile, Baxenden’s hopes of a Ramsbottom and Lawrenson Cup double were dashed by Brinscall.

Chasing 135 to win, Brinscall, runners-up to Cherry Tree 12 months ago, passed the total for the loss of just four wickets.