GREAT HARWOOD were kicking themselves last Saturday after spurning the chance to pile the pressure on Ribblesdale League leaders Clitheroe.
Rain meant Harwood were the only Hyndburn side in action while Clitheroe’s match at Edenfield was also a wash-out.
But they failed to take advantage despite being at home to Settle. Charles Fernando (39) struggled for support at the top of the order and it needed a 32 by Stuart Maher at number nine to help Harwood to 100 before being bowled out in the 28th over.
Edward Read took an impressive 8-46 for the visitors.
And although Maher had Settle 14-1, Harwood’s total was never going to be enough and Imran Khalid (56 not out) brought up the winning runs with a six in the 17th over, leaving the visitors on 105-1.
That lifted Settle into third while second-placed Harwood remain 17 points off top spot.
But there is little better than a derby win to boost morale and Harwood will aim to revive their title challenge as they visit sixth-placed BAXENDEN this Saturday.
Mid-table OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL play host to fourth-placed Whalley.
WEEKEND TEAMS
BAXENDEN
1ST XI V GREAT HARWOOD (H, SAT): G Sudworth (c), R Staines, M Rishton, C Waddington, D Bulcock, M Aspinall, M Schofield, K Smithson, M Austin, Mark Clegg, A Iqbal. Scorer: M Taylor. Meet 12.30.
2ND XI V WHALLEY (A, SAT): Martin Clegg, Z Mohammed, A Hamed, B Swindells, G Nixon, F Nixon, J Poole, J Clegg, R Hurley, P Jenkins, E Simpson. Scorer: A Machole. Meet Alma 12.30.
GREAT HARWOOD
1ST XI V BAXENDEN (A, SAT): R Whalley, P Swanney, P Houldsworth, S Maher, C Fernando, J Edgar, S Ali, P Newton, L Dobson, I Haworth, S Shahabuddin. Scorer: J Kendal. Meet Baxenden 12.30.
2ND XI V SETTLE (H, SAT): L Noon, G Allen, M Bunn, C Holt, J Starkie, A Masood, B Poole, D Briggs, A Hussain, C Smith, D Morris.Meet Cliffe 12.30.
3RD XI V WHALLEY (H, SUN): M Bunn, T Holden, A Law-Riding, N Holt, S Zahid, S Schofield, R Holt, D Holt, C Holt, S Jones, D Briggs. Meet Cliffe 12.30.
