THE challenge of the Craven trio at the head of the Senior Division of the Jennings Ribblesdale League suffered setbacks on all fronts during a double-header weekend in which Read moved to the head of affairs with a 12-point haul.

The weather played a crucial part in the equation, with leaders Barnoldswick being restricted to two points from a rain-hit game against Ribblesdale Wanderers on Saturday and then being ousted from top spot in a low-scoring game at Read the following day.

Earby may also been left to reflect on a weekend in which their title hopes suffered a fatal setback, defeats by Clitheroe and Great Harwood leaving them 13 points behind the new leaders.

Settle were also victims of Read's double success and while they picked up points with a four-wicket win over Whalley on Sunday, their hopes of having a serious say in the title race rather hinged on a good result at Read the previous day.

Not that Read have the title in the bag. They visit Cherry Tree tomorrow and were the reigning champions to prevail in that encounter, then the race will be opened up once again.

Having been frustrated by the weather on Saturday, Barnoldswick needed a good display when they entertained Read the following day, but professional Akram Raza quickly undermined their efforts. He turned in a 4-31 spell from 23 overs, half of which were maidens, to turn the screw on the home side, who struggled to 113-9 in their 45 overs.

When Michael Scothern had opener Craig Walker caught by Matthew Nutter in his first over and Paul Beech then struck twice in his second over to reduce Read to 7-3, Barnoldswick hopes were raised, but unbeaten half centuries from Whalley (55no) and Eastham (50no) saw the visitors home without further loss.

Earby were left to ponder a weekend in which their uncertain batting form again proved an Achilles heel. On Saturday against Great Harwood they appeared to have done the hard work when they restricted the home side to 131-8 in their 29-over allocation, Alex Scholefield claiming 5-68 from 15 overs.

When Earby replied, however, skipper Ian Clarkson was the only player to come to terms with the bowling, his 63 coming off 62 balls and including six fours and three sixes. The fact that his side closed on 107-9 from 27 overs underlined the poverty of the rest of the batting.

Nor did it improve to any great extent the following day when Clitheroe were visitors. At 95-1, with Scholefield again in cracking form, Earby looked set to post a big score, but the opener's 73 - six fours and two sixes - proved to be the only innings of real substance as Earby collapsed to 124 all out in 37.3 overs.

Hopes were raised for Earby when Clitheroe slipped to 23-4, but a stand of 93 by Messrs Burns (68) and Coulter (32) rescued the position and the visitors got home by three wickets.

Settle were never really in the hunt at Read when they were bowled out for 106, the home side completing an eight-wicket win, but their bowlers put them in the driving seat the following day when Whalley were restricted to 119-8, allowing the home side to collect a four-wicket win.