TWO defeats over the Bank Holiday weekend saw Settle’s RIBBLESDALE LEAGUE Senior title bid finally run out of steam.

In the home match against Whalley, the Fazal brothers were the only batsmen in double figures, Asif’s opening 36 being eclipsed by a fighting half-century from Hassan, who struck 65 as wickets fell around him.

A total of 141 all out was not a great challenge for the visitors, despite both openers being back in the hutch with just three on the board. The Fazals took a wicket each, as did Imran Khalid and Will Davidson, but the Dalesmen conceded 32 extras and Mark Fallon hit eight sixes in his 83 not out as Whalley were over the line inside 35 overs.

In Sunday’s game at Read, Settle could only manage 126 all out, though Hassan Fazal (47) was again in the runs. Opener Laurence Read made 15 and the Davidson brothers, John (16) and Will (14), offered support. Read’s reply was brutal and swift, the game won within 18 overs at a cost of just three wickets as the visitors could not contain a blitz of 71 unbeaten runs in 44 balls by Joe Marshall.

Also in Section A, Earby suffered an embarrassing home defeat as they could only make 17-9 - last man Stephen Hipgrave didn't bat - in reply to Clitheroe's 146-8, in which Chris Walton took 5-36.

That came on the back of a loss at Great Harwood the previous day, the visitors being bowled out for 164 in reply to 203-9.

In Section B, Barnoldswick enjoyed a three-wicket win at Brooksbottom as Sajid Akhtar was chief destroyer in helping to dismiss the hosts for 203.

Abdul Saddique led the way in reply with 83 as N Ahmed (46) provided good support to ensure Barlick got home by three wickets.

Victory helped make up for a defeat the day before at home to Padiham, who had Ben Heap to thank for an all-round quality display.

Heap took 4-53 to restrict Barlick to 180-8 (N Ahmed 47) before hitting an unbeaten 76 as the visitors got home with three wickets to spare, despite 5-72 from Kyle Marshall.

Settle seconds picked up five points at Read in yet another close encounter in Division One. The early departure of their openers was remedied by a robust middle order effort with Ben Hulse (29), Jack Harrison (20) and James Holgate (17) being outshone by an entertaining 43 in 24 balls from Josh Mullinder.

David Hulse hit 16 down the order as the visitors made 171 all out.

John Tarbox (3-31) and Simon Tarbox (2-33) had early success and Mullinder completed a fine all-round performance with 4-40, helped by two brilliant takes at slip by Holgate, who now tops the division’s catching charts.

In a tense finish, Hulse senior took a blinding catch behind the stumps but Read narrowly overhauled Settle with the last wicket standing and two overs remaining.

Barnoldswick Seconds won by nine wickets after bowling hosts Burnley Belvedere out for 73, while Earby Seconds conceded their fixture at Euxton.