SETTLE’S professional Imran Khalid has agreed a new deal with the club after launching another devastating assault on his former club Barnoldswick at Marshfield on Saturday.

He smashed 132 unbeaten runs, with eleven fours and five sixes as third-placed Settle won by 93 runs.

And after the game it was revealed by club chairman Andrew Davidson that the Faisalabad Wolves all-rounder will be back to spearhead the clubs bid for honours in 2015.

Khalid currently tops the Ribblesdale League batting averages and sits third in the bowling with 650 runs and 56 wickets.

“He has not only been an outstanding performer, but more importantly he is a match winner” said Davidson.

“We agreed terms last week and it was just a matter of updating the contract.

“We have had to fend off interest from prominent Bolton and Lancashire League clubs.

“Ultimately it was Imran’s desire to be content and happy playing in a young, talented and winning side and being professional at a well-organised and aspirational club, where he feels he has the support of the players, committee and coaches which ultimately were the key drivers.

“It was very important for all concerned that the deal was done early. We can now concentrate on putting the finishing touches to strengthening the squad, as we look to try and secure the title at the end of a five-year plan which started in 2011 with the formulation of a very young side”

Khalid showed just why he is so highly rated on Saturday.

Tom Davidson (37) shared a 50 partnership with Khalid, but the middle order fell to the bowling of Barlick’s pro, Louis Delport, who had match figures of 7-128.

Peter Cook’s 13 not out down the order was welcome but Khalid stole the show as Settle reached 243-7, their highest total of the season, which was boosted by 33 extras.

Barlick opener Matthew Nutter offered a spirited reply, falling just three runs short of a century with five sixes of his own, while Umer Saddique (12) and Faisal Hussain (26) kept up the pace.

However, the visitors’ fate was sealed by a collapse in which seven wickets fell in the space of six runs.

Khalid (3-42) and Tom Davidson (2-46) were in the wickets, but late change Will Davidson took 5-10 in five overs to record his best bowling figures at any level to leave Barlick all out for 150 in 38 overs.

Division Two leaders Settle seconds claimed their seventh consecutive victory, but it was a lot closer than they would have liked.

Batting first at Great Harwood, Neil Handy (17) was top scorer, with Ben Hulse, Ethan Henare and Ben Mitchell each hitting 14 runs in a total of 108 all out. The hosts were all out for 91 with only one batsman in double figures, as Henare took 6-36 and Jason Paul 4-33.

Earby suffered a big setback in Senior Division Two when they were beaten by lowly Padiham. The leaders were undone by Nesir Mehmood. Callum Clarke won the toss for Padiham and took first use of the wicket.

Clarke and Hitchon got the visitors off to a steady start putting 32 on the board before Richard Craddock removed Hitchon.

Professional Darryl Losper (2) didn’t move the score forward but Anthony Hall accumulated quietly.

Clarke fell to the left-arm bowling of Lee Parkinson after making 43. With the total on 77-3, man of the match Mehmood entered the fray.

He took on the Earby attack and supported by Nathan Whitehead (23) he smashed the ball to all parts before unfortunately giving Danny Kegg the simplest of catches when he was on 99.

Padiham closing on 236-7. Craddock was the pick of the bowlers with 4-73.

Earby’s reply started off brightly enough, the opening pair of Walton and Matt Wilson putting on 39 in the first five overs, before Nathan Whitehead removed danger-man Wilson for 21.

That brought professional Crotty (17) to the wicket. He batted patiently and added 40 before being caught behind off Toby Burrows’ first over.

The next over from Whitehead was disastrous for Earby, Walton went for 26 and Matt Haines for nought.

Andy Jaggers and skipper Craddock had a rebuilding job to do at 81-5. The pair took the score past 100 before Whitehead dismissed Craddock for ten.

Danny Kegg hung around in a partnership with Jaggers before both fell in quick succession, Jaggers for 44. Despite Jason Lockley making a defiant 11, Earby were bowled out for 178.

Nathan Whitehead finished with 5-60, while Mehmood took 3-27 and took three catches for good measure to crown his performance.