Champions beat Settle in Marshfield encounter (From Craven Herald)

Champions beat Settle in Marshfield encounter

7:30am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport

Settle’s excellent run in all cricket formats came to a temporary halt against champions Baxenden at Marshfield on Saturday, losing on a rain-adjusted target.

The visitors were put in to bat and racked up 52 before losing a wicket, with pro Kamran Younas (52) and Mark Rishton (46) keeping Settle at bay.

The hosts checked Baxenden’s progress as their pro Mansoor Amjad wheeled away for 21 overs and took 3-61.

The most successful member of the Settle attack was their veteran spinner Andrew Davidson.

The wily old fox collected his first five-wicket haul of the season as Baxenden posted a testing 173 from their 43 overs.

Settle’s batsmen struggled against Younas and Kurt Smithson, though Aneeq Hassan, Tiarnan Hamill and Laurence Read at least made it to double figures. as they tried desperately to force the pace.

The batting was completely held together by Amjad who battled for 25 overs to reach 42 not out when the game finally succumbed to the weather with the total on 96 for seven.

Baxenden secured the victorywith some ease but Settle will no doubt have revenge on their minds now, Settle are still in a respectable fifth place and will be looking to turn the tables on Baxenden in the re-arranged Ramsbottom Cup semi-final at Marshfield on Sunday.

Barnoldswick’s latest aban- doned game of the season allowed title-chasing Read and Baxenden to make up ground on another soggy Saturday.

Barlick haven’t lost in 16 Senior League outings but six matches have been washed out including their most recent fixture against Great Harwood.

So with Read winning at Ramsbottom Cup semi-final- ists, Oswaldtwistle Imm- anuel, and Baxenden defeat- ing Settle at Marshfield, their lead at the top is down to 17 points.

The abandonment was particularly tough on Bar- lick’s overseas player Imran Khalid.

He made a stunning 131 not out which contained eight sixes as Barnoldswick made 224-3 in 31 overs.

He was well supported by opener Abdul Siddique (55) before the rain struck.

Earby have every reason to feel under the weather.

Their home game with Whalley was washed out which was frustrating for their hard-working ground- staff.

This Saturday Earby are at Clitheroe and will be hoping for a break in the weather.

Settle are at home to Padiham while leaders Barnoldswick visit Sales- bury.

Barlick will hope for a dry day on Sunday when they try again to stage their Rams- bottom Cup semi-final clash against Oswaldtwistle.

Settle seconds are not resting on their laurels after their recent record-breaking victory.

This time they hammered Feniscowles 2nds for 267 runs, with run-machine Nick Cokell adding 97 in the wake of his league record knock of 275no.

His departure to a stumping was his first dismissal in 376 runs, while Kieran Ashley hit 77 in support.

John Tarbox’s all-round perform- ance of 42 runs and five wickets for 29 completed the hosts’ misery as they crashed to 44 all out.