Settle boosted their chance of pipping Barnoldswick for second place in the Senior League with victories over Earby and Euxton.

And they revealed after their weekend double, which takes them within five points of their Victory Park rivals, that they have signed Barlick’s overseas player Imran Khalid for next season.

A club statement said: “After a full and intensive search for what we think is the type of player required to fit into our side we are pleased to announce that we have signed former Manning ham Mills and Barnoldswick professional Imran Khalid.

“We feel that Imran, who will live with his family in Bradford and will come up on a Friday night to participate in the junior coaching with the rest of the coaches, is the player who was best value for money and is a match winner with either bat or ball.

“His performances have been outstanding in the Ribblesdale League and Bradford League over the past three years, always in the 800 runs zone, a 70-100 wicket performer and is a winner, steering Barnolds- wick to the title in 2012.

“We think his craft, guile and tight bowling will really add to our excellent attack and his runs come quickly.”

Saturday’s match with Earby was a low-scoring affair at Marshfield.

Earby, who elected to bat first, were dismissed for 123 with their professional Fahid Rehman making a battling 37.

Tom Davidson and professional Tanwir Afzal claimed three wickets each while Eddy Read and Andrew Davidson both took two.

Earby opened the bowling with Jake Hargreaves and spinner Ian White.

There was early success as young White trapped Lawrence Read lbw before skipper Richard Craddock took four wickets to reduce Settle to 55-5.

Captain Eddy Read worked hard for his top score of 26 but Settle needed some determined batting from Andrew and Will Davidson to see them to a two-wicket win.

Tom Davidson, who has been a key figure in Settle’s climb from ninth to third in the table, took 6-46 as Euxton were dismissed for 100 on Sunday.

Settle eased to their target for the loss of five wickets.

Barnoldswick had a miserable weekend. They lost both games going down by 45 runs at Ramsbottom Cup winners, Ribblesdale Wanderers, and losing by four wickets at home to Great Harwood.

Earby bounced back from their defeat at Settle with an eight-run win over already-relegated Padiham.

Pro Rehman departed early after being trapped lbw by opposite number Chris Holt, but Chris Walton strode to the middle and batted with care and great patience.

Walton brought up his 50 off 75 deliveries and his innings was vital to Earby setting a decent target as wickets tumbled.

Jason Lockley, a late replacement for the injured Richard Craddock, smashed a rapid 30 off just 16 balls, before Walton chased a wide delivery and was out for a superb 74, Nesir Mahmood finished with 7-101 as Earby were dismissed for 190.

Jake Hargreaves took the new ball and struck in his first over trapping Callum Clarke lbw for a duck Holt played a very professional innings, adding 60 with Kevin Hitchon until Lee Parkinson had Hitchon caught by wicketkeeper Matt Garner, Kurt Robinson carried on the good work with his professional and as long as this pair were together it looked like the league’s bottom club could claim the victory.

Skipper Iain Clarkson tried the spin of White and Rehman with no success but it was the introduction of Lockley and the return of Walton to the attack that turned the game back in Earby's favour.

Lockley claimed the critical wickets of both Holt and Robinson, both smartly stumped by Garner, and he continued to bowl tight over after tight over and at the other end Walton was picking the batsmen off.

Mahmood (11) and Gary Pethard (14) took the total within striking distance before Walton sent both back to the pavilion and added to his tally with the final wicket of Rhys Meehan.

Walton was the undoubted man of the match, adding to his 74 with figures of 5-35.