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Cherry Tree put themselves firmly back in the Jennings Ribblesdale League title race thanks to Gary Bolton, who ended his wicket-drought in devastating style with the best return of the season to date.

Bolton, only bowling because of an ankle injury to John Hughes, claimed 8-34 as Barnoldswick were dismissed for just 88.

And the all-rounder followed that up with an unbeaten 36 as the 1997 champions romped to a 10-wicket success to move within a point of joint leaders Padiham and Ribblesdale Wanderers.

A delighted Bolton, who had a season's best 9-34 on his way to 35 league wickets last year, said: ``I got one first game and then didn't take another wicket throughout May. I got a couple last week and then eight on Saturday.

``I don't really know why I haven't been getting any. I'm not bowling any worse than in previous years, it's just one of those things.

``Perhaps when you get a bit older and bit slower people give it a bit more of a whack.

``After such a lean time to get eight wickets was fantastic. I would have been happy to get four, so to get five and then another few as well, was a real bonus.''

Barnoldswick had made a solid start but once Bolton made the breakthrough, they lost all 10 wickets for just 44 runs.

He added: ``At 44-0 I bowled Justin Manville and then in my next over I got the pro to a brilliant catch by David Hayes and got two more in that over which turned the game.

``I had a little three-over burst of 5-0 which ripped the heart out of it.'' Bolton and professional Naeem Ashraf were able to enjoy a breather with the hosts in trouble at 60-7 when heavy rain caused a stoppage and some leakage on to the wicket.

``Several of their players weren't keen to go back on but the umpires said the rest of the ground was fit enough and they just needed both captains to play which eventually happened,'' added Bolton, who quickly mopped up the tail before going to work with the bat.

``It wasn't dangerous, it just skidded through. Naeem (44 not out) and I decided if it was up just to play through it. There was nothing to be frightened of, and we just hit the bad ball and chanced our arm a bit.''

While Cherry Tree were wrapping up their maximum points victory inside 13 overs, Padiham, Ribblesdale Wanderers and Read saw their games abandoned.

``It's the first time for a long time that the weather has done us any favours. Over the past couple of seasons we must have had more games rained off than anybody so hopefully this year, the luck might be on our side.

``It was certainly nice to get seven points while a lot of the others were getting two,'' said Bolton, who believes Cherry Tree are well placed to challenge for the title. ``If we just keep going as we are, then we have as good a chance as anybody. We bat all the way down and we have one of the strongest teams in the league.''

The Preston Old Road club are still in the hunt for the League and Ramsbottom Cup double they achieved two summers ago.

But to enhance their prospects they need to beat improving Whalley twice this coming weekend, away in the League and at home in the Cup on Sunday.

``It will be difficult as I don't think they've reached their full potential yet. They've got some good players and the cup game is a big one for both clubs,'' said Bolton.

Cherry Tree will be without Ian Simpson, who will be unavailable for the remainder of the season.