After two overwhelming victories the previous weekend, Settle’s first team were themselves comprehensively beaten on Saturday at arch-rivals Read’s ground.

Mark Verden (23) got off to his usual exciting start for the visitors, while the club’s new all-round star Andrew McCracken compiled another of his immaculate fifties.

Professional Brent Findlay is now finding good form and his innings of 34 was supported by 18 from Tom Davidson.

However, the bowling of Read’s professional Jon Harvey (five wickets for 52) and Warren Eastham (four for 68) was too much for Settle who were all out for 184.

This score would be a winning total on many grounds, but at Read it is not promising. The hosts were duly home and dry after only 35 overs with bowlers hit to all parts by Nick Marsh (61 no) and notably Michael Whalley, who ended up unbeaten but just three runs short of a century.

The only Settle bowlers who did not struggle were Andrew Davidson, who conceded just 26 runs from his eight overs, and Eddie Read, who got one for 28.

Settle seconds faced a very strong and mature Read who scored 235 for six with the Settle fielders struggling in the sun.

Tom Strickland shone with bat and ball and he took one for 42 off his 12 overs and then hit 48 as Settle’s young side was dismissed for 130 in reply.

Settle only had ten men to bat as N Horsman’s heroic attempt at a difficult catch resulted in him breaking a finger in three places.

Settle seconds lost by seven wickets in their Lawrenson Cup second round match at Salesbury on Sunday.

Batting first, Settle openers Laurence Read (13) and Tom Elliott (22) got the visitors off to a sound start, but it was Tom Strickland who again took the batting honours with a superb 64 not out while the remaining batsmen fell around him.

Settle’s total of 172 was overhauled by Read with the loss of only two wickets, but Damon Barrett had an excellent analysis of one for 12 from nine overs.

The club’s only win of the weekend came from Settle thirds who demolished Great Harwood at the Marshfield.

The visitors crumbled to 73 all out in the face of McCracken’s devastating seven wickets for 35, well supported by three for 29 from David Shepherd.

It was left to McCracken (37no), Adi Campbell (22) and Fergus Milligan (10no) to see Settle home in just 14 overs.

Barnoldswick sub pro, the Burnley paid man Jeeva Kulatunga, claimed five wickets but couldn’t help his men to a win over Clitheroe, who started the day bottom of the table.

Clitheroe were bowled out for 199 at Victory Park - but that target was too much for Barlick, who were bowled out for 161 in reply, Tim le Breton doing the damage by claiming 5-47.

Barnoldswick 161 (Tim le Breton 5-47); Clitheroe 199 (Jeeva Kulatunga 5-55). Clitheroe won by 38 runs.

Earby, who had lost their two previous games, got back to winning ways as they beat stumbling Cherry Tree on their travels to Blackburn’s Preston New Road. Scott Friend (84) and Joe Bolton (59) helped Cherry Tree to a useful 196-7 but Richard Craddock made an unbeaten 58 as Earby squeezed home by three wickets.

Cherry Tree 196-7 (Scott Friend 84, Joe Bolton 59); Earby 200-7 (Richard Craddock 58no). Earby won by three wickets