SETTLE sit at the top of the Ribblesdale League after a tied finish with champions Clitheroe at Marshfield and a win at Oswaldtwistle.

Janaka Guneratne (65) and Ali Ross (55) were the top scorer as Clitheroe posted a challenging 211-6, with two wickets apiece for Hassan Fazal, Will Davidson and Saud Ahmed.

Settle largely relied on a blistering 132 from pro Imran Khalid, with support from Laurence Read (19) and Tom Davidson (15). Khalid hammered nine sixes and five fours in another superb innings.

Seven runs were needed from the final over but Khalid was stumped going for his tenth six. It left captain Andrew Davidson and the experienced Dave Worthington to scramble enough runs to force the tie.

Sunday’s match was reduced to 20 overs, with Settle posting 159-4. Laurence Read top-scored with 41, while Khalid (38) and Will Davidson (39) hit out well. Oswaldtwistle were restricted to 130-6, as Khalid took 3-39 and Andrew Davidson (2-30).

It proved to be a good weekend for Barnoldswick as they recorded wins over Brinscall and Edenfield with South African all-rounder Kyle Marshall making telling contributions.

He top scored with 69 as Barnoldswick made 188 and produced a devastating spell of 7-36 as Brinscall were dismissed for 127 to seal a 61-run win. Luke Hodgson's unbeaten 56 was the other key feature of Saturday's victory.

Sunday's match with Edenfield proved to be a real nail biter with Barnoldswick edging home by one wicket with four balls to spare in the 31 overs a side contest. Marshall made 43 as Barnoldswick edged past Edenfield's 128-2.

It was a mixed weekend for Earby as they suffered an 11-run defeat against Baxenden before beating Brooksbottom by 29 runs.

Baxenden 's 154 owed much to Mark Rushton's 54 as Richard Craddock picked up 3-48. Chris Walton (70) battled hard for Earby but Gary Sudworth's 6-47 sealed victory for Baxenden.

Skipper Matt Haines set the tone for the triumph over Brooksbottom. He made 55 and was supported by Matthew Garner (37) and Dave Crotty (31) as a total of 159-5 was built. Brooksbottom were dismissed for 130 with Crotty taking 4-40 and Craddock (3-26).

Settle seconds were at Barnoldswick to bag their first win this year, boosted by the welcome return of John Tarbox (32 runs and 5-23). Juniors Benjamin Hulse (25), Simon Tarbox (20) and James Pickard (17no) wagged the tail in the visitors’ 130-9, Jonathan Beech claiming 6-55. Tarbox senior then removed half the Barlick side, supported by Josh Mullinder (3-17), as the hosts tumbled to 87 all out.