In the cult cricket followers publication “Slipless in Settle”, the central character from the writer’s visit to the Marshfield was the Wily Old Fox On Saturday the Wily Old Fox was revealed, as none-other than veteran former skipper Andrew Davidson. as he starred in their victory over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

His timely introduction into the attack at New Road led to a vintage performance of varied flight and pace and delivered yet another win for a Settle side which has now moved ominously into fourth spot, seven points behind Read.

Settle elected to bat and got another flyer with Tom Davidson and Lawrence Read putting on 35 before Andreas Sudnick uprooted Davidson’s off stump.

The visitors moved along steadily as they built their innings sensibly.

Read, Anneq Hassan and Robbie Davidson were in charge until the introduction of Ossy’s veteran Gerard Metcalf seemed to change the mind-set of the middle order.

What should have been a stroll towards a 200 plus total, turned into a self-inflicted middle order crash as 53-year-old old Metcalf claimed 5-77 off his 14 overs.

One thing that the young Settle side must do is to play balls on their merit and play to their strengths.

The innings declined steadily from 130-6 to 170-9 but Will Davidson was determined to survive the carnage.

He produced a classic league innings, pushing, chipping and driving powerfully when needed.

His 67 from 44 balls and a last-wicket stand of 46 with his dad Andrew (11no), led to a respectable 216 being posted.

In reply the Ossy’s were kept in check by the tight opening spells of Tanwir Afzal and Eddy Read, but at 60-1 they had a platform from which to attack.

Davidson Snr rolled back the years and with his array of slower balls, the Ossy’s line up were snared and trapped with their ill-judged attempts to blast the ball out of the ground, much to the delight of the Settle followers.

Settle’s outfield catching was also at its best, Peter Cook, Tom Strickland and Hassan all showing prowess in this area and two run outs highlighted the importance of youth.

The game was wrapped up in the final over with another Davidson victim as he completed a 6-45 return.