SETTLE took their leave of the North West League with a convincing win on Saturday, showing what might have been possible had their season not been ruined by the weather.

In their first and last trip to Blackrod they were invited to bat first and were restricted by tight bowling with five top batsmen departing in single figures. However, opener Tremaine Dowrich held the innings together with a rousing knock of 86 from 92 balls, his highest innings of the season. In similar style, skipper Will Davidson joined him in a blistering 65-run partnership, adding 68 from 52 balls, seven sixes on the way. Eddy Read scored 15 as the visitors reached 205 all out in 45 overs.

Blackrod made a steady reply until Read (3-37) dismissed pro Hamad Ul Hassan for 65, caught by John Davidson. Settle pro Ashen Silva, back from injury, claimed 3-37, while Dowrich underlined his all-round talents with figures of 3-32 as the hosts fell for 162.

Settle 1sts look forward next summer to a fresh start in the Northern Premier League, with 100-over matches starting at 12.30, and winning and losing draws to consider, while the 2nds and 3rds join the Westmorland League (2pm starts, 45 and 40 overs), also with drawn matches a new possibility.