TOM Davidson, who is coaching rugby union in Latvia, dashed back to England last weekend to play cricket for Settle in the Ribblesdale League.

However, the title favourites had their top-of-the-table clash at Barnoldswick rained off last Saturday and lost their Ramsbottom Cup semi-final by eight wickets at Read on Sunday.

"We just didn't turn up, didn't score enough runs and Read fully deserved to win," admitted Settle skipper Davidson.

Openers Will and Tom Davidson posted 16 runs each in a flying start for Settle, and Callum Lockett (41) and Robbie Davidson (37) then enjoyed a 79-run partnership, though Read’s bowlers severely restricted the run rate.

The middle order and tail tried to accelerate things but regularly lost wickets in the process, with the visitors finally dismissed for 158.

Although Sadrian Ward took an early wicket, Read’s reply lost no momentum, as Kyle O’Connor hit a run-a-ball 45, while pro Matt Walker made up for his cheap dismissal at Marshfield by scoring 74 not out from 65 deliveries.

An overall run rate of seven an over meant the hosts had secured a place in the final after just 23 overs.

But things are still promising in the league, where Settle, who entertain Salesbury, who only have four wins to their name, on Saturday, lead Barnoldswick by 13 points with matches running out.

"It is our title to lose," said Tom, whose brothers Robbie, Will and John have all played their part in Settle's bid for silverware.

"We still have top clubs Whalley and Barnoldswick to play at home, which is massive for us."

He added: "Last weekend was the only one where I have come back to England since I went out to Latvia four weeks ago to coach their club champions Livonia, and I don't know when I will be coming back next due to rugby commitments.

"I am also due to have a scan on a knee tomorrow to see how serious the damage is.

"However, I would imagine that all of my brothers will be playing cricket if there is something at stake for Settle rather than playing rugby union for Wharfedale."

Settle finished a distant second behind Clitheroe last season, but Tom said: "We relied too much on two or three individuals, whereas this season everyone has contributed from one to 11, and John Tarbox has come in from the second team and taken 6-19 (against Earby) and Jack Harrison has opened in the T20 and hit 80 of 40 balls."

Tom should have been playing for the league's representative side in a T20 celebration of 125 years of the Ribblesdale League and Lancashire League tomorrow at Great Harwood.

The Ribblesdale League face the Northern Premier League at 10am, followed by the second semi-final between the Lancashire League and Palace Shield Cricket at 1.15pm, with the final at 4.30pm between the respective winners.

Tom added: "Six of us (Settle) were chosen originally but only Robbie and Sadrian Ward have survived."

Tom and his brothers have also helped Latvia's international rugby union side to third place in Rugby Europe Conference One North.

He said: "We beat Luxembourg and Sweden and narrowly lost away to Lithuania but were comfortably beaten by the champions Czech Republic.

"I think we will do better next season, and if we can finish top and get into a play-off and beat the Southern winners, we could be playing Georgia, Spain and Romania!"