UNBEATEN Settle’s hopes for a repeat of their 2005 Houldsworth Ribblesdale League double were boosted by a win at Whalley.

It was their fourth win in five matches and leaves them five points clear of champions Clitheroe, having played a game more.

The Dalesmen yet again relied on the batting of Imran Khalid, whose 85 brought his season’s total to 341 in just five innings.

He shared a 59-run partnership with John Davidson (19), while the latter’s brothers Robbie (17) and William (15) contributed down the order as Settle reached 177 from 41 overs.

Khalid was eventually ninth man out and one of Simon Gorton's six victims.

Whalley made good progress against the opening bowlers but there was a dramatic change when Pakistani all-rounder Khalid came into the attack. He took 4-83, supported by an economical 3-12 from Saud Ahmed, to restrict the hosts to 157 all out.

On Saturday Settle entertain Read, who were hit for a club record of 299 just a fortnight ago, while on Sunday the Marshfield men will have high expectations for their Lancashire Cup clash at Daisy Hill, who have not won a game in the Bolton League this year.

Settle seconds are still looking for a first win in Division One, though James Holgate maintained his fine form with a knock of 45 and Dan Strickland (12) battled for 45 balls as Read restricted the hosts to 107. In reply, John and Simon Tarbox took a wicket apiece, but Read won through within 22 overs.

Clitheroe protected their 100 per cent winning record at Brooksbottom.

Aussie Peter Betros contributed 66 out of 'Brox's' 147 before Janaka Gunaratne's latest half century steered Clitheroe to a routine seven-wicket success.

Salesbury, with three wins from five, are third, a point behind Clitheroe after a 28-run victory against Barnoldswick. Susantha Pradeep top-scored with 53 before being bowled by Sajid Akhtar while Joe Rawlinson added a valuable 32 in the home team's 153-8.

Barnoldswick's first five batsmen reached double figures, with Kyle Marshall leading the way with 32. But Andrew Mercer (4-32), Josh Bristol (4-28) and Pradeep (2-34) eventually dismissed their visitors for 130.

After last weekend's double disaster, including the loss of their Ramsbottom Cup title, Ribblesdale Wanderers returned to winning ways against Great Harwood. Ryan Canning made 50 and John Rain 80 out of Wanderers' 184 while Joe Hawke returned figures of 6-38. Patrick Swanney compiled an unbeaten 50 but Harwood fell 25 runs short of their victory target.

Earby gained their first win of the new campaign, beating Edenfield by one wicket at Applegarth. Edenfield are one of four sides still looking to open their season's win account.

Despite their cup exploits, Oswaldtwistle are bottom of the table. A fourth league defeat came at Euxton, for whom Oliver Marsden hit an unbeaten 42 to steer the Balshaw Park club to a five-wicket win.

Read ensured Padiham remain winless despite 84 from former Lowerhouse stalwart Ben Heap in the visitors' run chase. Kyle O'Connor's 84 helped Read to a 25-run win.

Liam Watkinson, son of former Lancashire and England all-rounder Mike Watkinson, scored 79 of Baxenden's 195-8 against Brinscall. Liam Winstanley made 74 in reply but Gary Sudworth's 6-41 helped dismiss the visitoers for 171.