10:30am Thursday 2nd September 2010
They say cricket is a funny old game and those witnessing Settle’s game at Whalley on Sunday would testify to that statement.
An opening stand of 25 by youngsters Lawrence Read and William Davidson looked to set the platform for a reasonable Settle total, however after Harry Boam had seen his timbers shiver and Tom Davidson had padded up to a straight one, the Settle middle order was blown away, by accurate and varied spin bowling from professional Younis.
At 56-9 it looked a lost cause and it was left to the father and son partnership of Andrew and Robbie Davidson to create what was in the cold light of day, the game’s most important partnership.
Robbie, under strict orders to stay there, did just that while his dad used his experience to push the total up to 73.
It didn’t look a big score but it soon took on greater proportions as Whalley plunged to 38-6.
Whalley lost wickets at regular intervals and collapsed like Settle to 56-9 thanks to a heroic bowling stint from Boam (5-19), Andrew Booth (2-16) and Tom Davidson (2-2).
The game looked to be in Settle’s pocket, however old stager David O’Neil had other ideas and used his experience to support youngster Hussain to mirror Settle’s last-wicket stand.
They also occupied the crease and nudged, padded and dabbed runs moving nearer and nearer to the Settle total.
With four overs to go seven was needed for victory. Booth returned to the attack and from his first ball he took a caught and bowled to seal a six-run win. Whalley were all out for 67.
Settle’s game against Cherry Tree on Saturday was destroyed by the continual waves of August downpour Settle were 34-3. when play was halted.
Barnoldswick were another side involved in a thriller. They lost by one-run at Read on Saturday.
The home side were bowled out for 144 with Khurram Nazir (3-47) and Jaffer Nazir (3-51) doing the damage. Barnoldswick were then dismissed for 143.
Barnoldswick’s next opponents on Saturday are Earby who had two wins at the weekend and will present them with a stern examination.
Earby defeated Padiham on Saturday and followed up by beating Ribblesdale by 42 runs. Openers Chris Walton (65) and Craig Walton (58) helped their side to make 240-6. Pro Ali Azmat weighed in with 34.
Ribblesdale were all out for 198 in reply as Matthew Haines took 6-34 in a match-winning spell of bowling.
On Sunday Settle 2nds had a good win against Whalley with youngster Peter Cook leading the way with a mature 45.
Fourteen-year-old Ben Lee, on debut, made a promising start to senior cricket taking 1-5, and one to watch youngster Tom Harris performed admirably taking 2-16 and making a mature 16 runs.
New recruit and a cricketer in the making Tom Clay showed promise with the ball.
The third team had another admirable performance with a ten-wicket win over Barnoldswick.
Nick Cokell and George Barnes bowled well in tandem to take six and two wickets respectively, whilst veteran Dave Hulse rolled back the years for a polished 52, well supported by young Peter Cooka with an undefeated 38.
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