SETTLE bounced back from double defeat the previous weekend to rack up a very different brace of victories this time.

In the Craven derby at Marshfield, the home side limped to 126 all out against Earby.

Hassan Fazal (26) and sub pro Ockert Erasmus (20) scored at three runs an over, and skipper Andrew Davidson held out resolutely for 57 balls to grind out 17 runs. Chris Walton (4-32) was the pick of the bowlers, helped by two wickets apiece for pro David Crotty, Matthew Haines and Jake Greenbank.

The reply saw Earby simply swept away by Erasmus (5-8) and Hassan Fazal (5-9) in a remarkable spell of bowling. Eight of the wickets were clean bowled and the only column in double figures was extras at 12. With the total at 30 all out and the match complete inside 13 overs, both teams lined up to applaud Settle skipper Andrew Davidson off the field in his final game at the Marshfield ground.

For Earby, who were bowled out for just 17 by champions Clitheroe the previous week, the defeat simply adds to their relegation woes, though they did perform better with the bat on Sunday.

They made 162 against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat. ),

On Sunday at Cherry Tree, Settle's loyal and long-serving batsman Laurence Read scored his maiden century for the club. His unbeaten 107 as opener came at almost a run a ball, including nine fours and four sixes. Read joined the celebrated ranks of centurions who have carried their bat in the Senior League in partnership with sub pro Suleman Khan (47) and Hassan Fazal who contributed a spirited 53 not out.

The total of 239-4 looked a banker for Settle but Cherry Tree’s South African pro had other ideas. Ruan Sadler smashed 136 from only 83 balls with 13 fours and six sixes to his name, but could not quite muster enough support from his team-mates.

Asif Fazal took 3-52, Will Davidson (2-30) and Khan (2-55) as a relieved Settle side won the day by 11 runs, Cherry Tree were 228 all out with four balls remaining.

Euxton's two wicket victory against Barnoldswick confirmed the Balshaw Park outfit's automatic promotion from Section B. Kyle Marshall top scored with 61 in the visitors' 157 all out while Euxton were indebted to an unbeaten 54 from Francois Haasbroek to see them home off the final ball of the penultimate over.