Any lingering doubts over the destiny of the VEKA Ribblesdale League senior division title were removed at Chatburn Road on Saturday.

Padiham had to beat league leaders Clitheroe to stand any chance of overhauling their hosts.

And it seemed the Ramsbottom Cup winners were suffering a hangover from last Monday's gripping triumph against Great Harwood.

With six wickets left and needing under 40 to inflict only a third league defeat of the season on Clitheroe, Padiham were in control.

But Josh Marquet helped bring about a collapse that saw Padiham dismissed for 158 and Clitheroe win by just five runs. Marquet finished with match winning figures of 5-51.

With a 21 point advantage and six games left Clitheroe look odds on to add the league to their Ramsbottom Cup and 20/20 Cup victories.

Baxenden cruised home with less anxiety against Earby. Jonathan Fielding took 5-63 as Earby were dismissed for 136 while Callum Waddington's unbeaten 58 was the mainstay of Baxenden's reply of 138-1.

Stuart Hornby had an excellent all-round day as defending champions Settle beat Edenfield by six wickets.

Only Baber Naeem offered any resistance with 83 as the home team limped to 174-9; Hornby taking 5-86. He then made 69 and Tim Green, 65 not out, as Settle took five points.

Great Harwood got over their Ramsbottom Cup defeat in fine style against Blackburn Northern.

They bowled out the home team for 135 and then Russell Whalley smashed 96 as Harwood got home for the loss of just three wickets with more than half their overs to spare.

Joe Scuderi was the only centurion in the senior division. He cracked 120 out of Ribblesdale Wanderers' 244-5 before home team Whalley were bowled out for only 82.

Cherry Tree beat bottom side Barnoldswick by 84 runs and Read defeated Oswaldtwistle Immanuel by five wickets in the other games.