SETTLE are looking forward to a bumper season, celebrating their 175th anniversary with two teams at the top of their game.

In 2016 the first team under Tom Davidson's leadership were runners-up to Clitheroe, whose departure to the Lancashire League gives Settle all the stimulus they need to target the Senior League title in 2017.

Promotion to Division One was the reward for Ben Mitchell’s second team, and the recent progress made by its talented young squad means they will aim high rather than focus on survival.

The club has a full programme of league, cup and 20/20 matches as well as a Sunday XI led by David Hulse, and its junior teams range from under-17s to under-9s.

There will also be a tour to Gala CC in Scotland, a 6-a-side competition and an under-19s 20/20 cricket festival.

The new season will be played against the backdrop of potential changes to the Ribblesdale League, with clubs considering their future as proposals involving the Lancashire League continue to be thrashed out.

But Settle’s minds will be very much on the here and now, as the first team host Cherry Tree at Marshfield on Saturday.

Assuming safe arrivals, Settle’s team will feature two outstanding 19-year-old overseas players.

South African all-rounder Kyle Scheepers currently plays for Easterns in Pretoria and is regarded as one for the future by his national board.

His winter was spent in Australian grade cricket where he was player of the year for his club with 600 runs and 35 wickets.

West Indian Sadrian Ward is another highly-promising all-rounder, who plays for Carlton in Barbados.

He comes recommended by former test star and Settle pro Collis King, a link which could pave the way for young Settle cricketers to visit Carlton. Kyle and Sadrian will help coach the juniors on Fridays and manage the under-13s squad.

As well as exciting cricket, the club can promise a great series of celebratory events, 175 years after the first recorded match against Sedbergh, which Settle unfortunately lost.

These will include a Race Night, live music, monthly discos, tribute nights and the headline event of a cricketers’ dinner in September.

The players have also set up a 175 Club to raise funds and awareness of the 1842 anniversary.

To complete the season, good weather will be hoped for to reward the hard work of Robin Towler and his groundstaff.