SENIOR League leaders Settle held off a challenge from third-placed Great Harwood at Marshfield, beating them by 87 runs.

The hosts were in some trouble at 71-5 despite Robbie Davidson (21) and Asif Fazal (22) starting well.

Pro Imran Khalid collected his first duck of the season as five batsmen scored just two runs between them.

The side was rescued by 93 from Tom Davidson who hit 14 fours and two sixes, sharing a 66-run partnership with a resurgent Peter Cook (29). Davidson was caught on the boundary in the penultimate over, chasing his first Senior League century, but he had seen Settle through to a respectable 201 all out.

Harwood were looking comfortable at 65-3 in reply, but Khalid turned the screw to concede just 24 runs from 14 overs, claiming three wickets on the way.

Fazal then rocked the visitors with a nine-over spell which yielded 5-30, seeing Settle home with ten overs to spare. This weekend their double-chasing team face Ribblesdale Wanderers in the league and tackle Craven rivals Earby in the Ramsbottom Cup semi-finals.

Padiham notched the highest score of the day with 278-7 against Earby helped by 59 from Jordan Baczkiewicz, 64 by Brannon Varley and Nathan Whitehead's 73 from 66 balls. In reply, the visitors only mustered 142 with opener Chris Walton (49) the one batsman to make an impression.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel continue to push Clitheroe and Settle as the division's form side. Their latest 19 run triumph came at Barnoldswick's expense with Dan Sartori making 84 out of 235-9 before 'Barlick' made 189-7 chasing a revised total of 208.

South African paceman Kyle Marshall took 4-70 for Barlick while Luke Hodgson (68) was their top scorer.

The spirit of cricket was the real winner as Settle’s second string narrowly fell to Division One leaders Salesbury.

Bowlers Josh Mullinder (4-28) and John Tarbox (4-35) were on fine form, supported by three catches by James Holgate and a catch by the opposition captain kindly subbing for Settle.

Chasing 129, Mullinder (20) and John Davidson (29) started well, followed by Jack Harrison (11) and Simon Tarbox (12), but a collapse saw last man Ben Mitchell battling for the finish.

He reached 15, with the total just nine runs short of victory, only to be caught out by team-mate Simon Tarbox, on as the Salesbury substitute fielder.

Settle nevertheless claimed seven bonus points and credit goes to rival captains Kieren Ashley and David Moss for their teams' sportsmanship.