SETTLE kept their double hopes well and truly alive as they beat Ribblesdale Wanderers in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League and then saw off neighbours Earby to reach the final of the Ramsbottom Cup.

They kept up the pressure on title rivals Clitheroe at Marshfield as Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khalid ensured their weekend got off to a positive start.

Khalid claimed 5-47 to become the Senior League’s leading wicket-taker with 55 victims as visitors Wanderers limped to 105 all out.

The Fazal brothers also weighed in with key contributions, Asif taking 3-18 and Hassan 2-29.

Chasing just 105, Settle’s reply was brutally swift. Robbie Davidson scored 17 runs in 11 balls, while Khalid hit seven fours and three sixes in his 61 with the contest all over in 18 overs.

Champions Clitheroe also failed to snare maximum points at in-form Oswaldtwistle Immanuel. But they avenged their shock 'Rammy' first round defeat helped by Will Calov's telling 5-52 with the ball.

Earby were pre semi-final winners in a tight game against Brinscall at Applegarth. Chasing the visitors 182, Earby took the spoils thanks to Ian Clarkson's 64 in a three-wicket victory.

In contrast, Barnoldswick looked to have knockout matters on their minds as they slumped to a 101-run defeat at Great Harwood. Allan Armer's 84 off 65 balls was the top score of the afternoon and with Jack Edgar's 82, Harwood posted a formidable 239-5.

Captain Luke Hodgson made 49 in Barlick's reply before he became one of Paul Newton's four victims. Four other batsmen reached double figures but couldn't build an innings and Barnoldswick were eventually dismissed for 138.

The result of the all-Craven Ramsbottom Cup semi-final at Applegarth was not unexpected, but the hosts set up a decent target at 181 all out.

Chris Walton (26) and Luke Hipgrave (35) produced a steady start, followed by 40 in even time from Rory Robinson, in the face of Tom Davidson (3-27) who was backed up by two wickets apiece from Khalid, Saud Ahmed and Asif Fazal. Settle’s reply was dominated by Fazal’s unbeaten knock of 95, containing 17 boundaries, in partnership with Khalid’s 60 at a run a ball. Earby were overhauled with only two Settle wickets down.

Settle will face Oswaldtwistle in the final on August 2 at the Wanderers ground. The opposition will be no pushover, but Settle’s immediate concern is losing their league top spot if Clitheroe win this Saturday, as the Dalesmen have no game.

Oswaldtwistle overcame Barnoldswick in a one-sided semi-final which saw the West Craven side slump to 52 all out, Andrew Metcalf taking 5-24 before his side cruised home by eight wickets.

Settle seconds continue to gather enough points for Division One survival, despite losing at Clitheroe. There were solid performances from Nick Cokell (18) and Josh Mullinder (16) and a return to form for James Holgate, who scored 40 in Settle’s total of 178-9. But the highlight was a maiden half-century for under-17 Dan Strickland, who faced 95 balls to amass 59 runs. Mullinder (2-39) and Strickland (2-36) then bowled well, but Clitheroe reached 181-7 with two overs to spare.