A MATCH that was billed as a heavyweight Ribblesdale League contest between Settle and visitors Whalley, second and third respectively in the Senior League, turned into one of the most one-sided matches seen at this level.

Calling the toss correctly was the only thing Whalley got right on Saturday as they were bowled out for just 34 before Settle stormed to a ten-wicket win.

The whole match lasted just 24.5 overs as Settle put the frustration of having their previous two games washed out behind them in emphatic style.

The victory was inspired by pacemen Hassan Fazal (5-12) and Tom Davidson (5-19) who took just 16.5 overs to reduce the Whalley batting to rubble.

Six of the Lancastrians were dismissed for ducks while wicketkeeper David Worthington bagged three catches.

It was then left to openers Asif Fazal (21no) and pro Imran Khalid (15no) to calmly knock off the runs in eight overs.

Chairman Andrew Davidson was delighted with his side’s bowling on Marshfield’s superb batting track.

He commented,“This was a terrific effort, though bad news for our bar takings with the game over by 3.30! It’s now a two-horse race with Clitheroe. The 21 points is a big gap but we will chase them all the way.”

It proved to be a miserable afternoon for Barnoldswick and Earby as they both suffered big defeats.

Barnoldswick went down by seven wickets to Baxenden while Earby lost by nine wickets to Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Barnoldswick were bowled out for 142 with opener Umar Saddique top scoring with just 28 as Gary Sudworth (4-49) and Brad Moses (3-35) posed problems. Moses followed up by making an unbeaten 35 as Baxenden eased to victory.

Earby will want to forget their match with Ribblesdale in a hurry. They were bowled out for just 74 as Ian Britcliffe ripped through their order with 7-34. Ryan Canning's unbeaten 39 saw Ribblesdale reach their target with just one wicket down.

Settle second team are still well in the hunt for promotion to Division One after their win at Stacksteads. Although the visitors’ openers both departed for ducks, an unfazed Josh Mullinder swiftly hit a six and five fours while top-scoring with 29.

John Tarbox (16) and Ben Mitchell (14) then held the innings together, but a total of 104 looked unpromising.

However, Tarbox (2-13) struck in his first over and it was downhill from there for Stacksteads. Spinners Joseph Handy (3-15) and Mullinder (3-25) quickly ran through the batting order as the hosts collapsed to 68 all out.