GREAT HARWOOD returned to winning form with a thumping win at Ribblesdale Wanderers but it was bittersweet for new favourite Jack Edgar.

The ex-Lowerhouse all-rounder, whose impact with bat and ball has been considerable since arriving at Cliffe Lane, batted through the innings on Saturday to end unbeaten on 88 as the visitors chalked up 203-6.

Edgar shared an opening partnership of 70 with the recently-returned Allan Armer (33) and there was a typically hard-hit 30 off 19 balls from Russ Whalley towards the end of the innings.

Edgar then opened the bowling, taking the second over, but his spell lasted just the one delivery before breaking down.

“Jack had a side strain,” explained Harwood’s Stuart Maher. “It seemed he’s had a stiff back and, having batted through the innings, hurt himself first delivery.”

With Maher at one end and Harwood juggling their options at the other, the hosts got away to a 65 opening partnership before incredibly losing five wickets to stand 65-5.

Maher picked up 7-45, Paul Houldsworth clearing up the other three as Wanderers subsided to 113 all out.

BAXENDEN were pleased to beat Edenfield at Gincroft Lane, dismissing the home side for 158, Gary Sudworth again showing his value with an unbroken 23-over spell to collect 6-67.

Overseas man Mohammed Asif Iqbal claimed the other four wickets, for 34 runs, and was also the star with the bat, making 62 not out as Bash got home by six wickets.

OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL had a day to forget at leaders Clitheroe, bowled out for just 100 – and it took a stand of 45 for the seventh wicket to reach three figures.

Neil Weaver (32) and Andrew Metcalfe (22) were, in fact, the only pair in double figures.

Clitheroe were made to work for their four-wicket win as teenage debutant Niall Heyes took 2-30, including home pro Janaka Gunaratne for 42. Clitheroe remain 17 points clear of second-placed Harwood.

TEAMS/FIXTURES
BAXENDEN 1ST XI - NO GAME
2ND XI V GREAT HARWOOD (A, SAT):
MARTIN CLEGG, J CLEGG, P JENKINS, G NIXON, A SWINDELLS, E SIMPSON, MARK CLEGG, Z BANNON, A HAMED, F NIXON, R HURLEY. 12TH MAN: J MILLS. SCORER: A MACHOLE. MEET ALMA 12.30.

GREAT HARWOOD
1ST XI V SALESBURY (A, SAT):
P Swanney, S Maher, C Fernando, A Armer, J Edgar, P Whalley, P Walker, J Kayley, C Holt, I Haworth, J Wildermuth. Scorer: J Kendal. Meet Salesbury 12.30.
2ND XI V BAXENDEN (H, SAT): G Allen, L Noon, S Ali, M Oddie, M Bunn, B Poole, C Oddie, A Masood, A Hussain, L Dobson, D Briggs. Scorer: R Holt. Meet Cliffe 12.30.

OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL
1ST XI V BRINSCALL (A, SAT), 2ND XI V WHALLEY (H, SAT)