SETTLE’S two convincing wins over the weekend maintained their unbeaten run this season and kept them in second place in the Senior League.

The victories over Earby by 56 runs and Brinscall by five wickets send them into Saturday's visit to undefeated leaders Clitheroe.

In the Craven derby against Earby, home skipper Tom Davidson started proceedings with an opening knock of 56 in even time, backed up by a more measured 22 from Tabassum Aziz.

Will Davidson and David Worthington added 17 apiece while 22 extras boosted the total to 183 all out. Earby’s keeper Jake Greenbank claimed four catches as Jake Hargreaves took 4-68 and Anton Muller (3-49).

In reply, the visitors were soon in big trouble at 28-5, but the middle order of Dan Helliwell (20) and Lee Parkinson (17) kept them afloat. Hargeaves finished on 19 not out, as Settle themselves contributed 25 extras to Earby's 127 all out.

Hassan Fazal took the starring role with 5-35, including three wickets in one over, while his brother Asif and pro Imran Khalid claimed two victims each.

Sunday’s trip to Brinscall brought more good news for the Marshfield men. The home side fought their way to a respectable 158-7 from their 45 overs as the bowlers worked hard for their wickets. Khalid (3-38) and Davidson (2-24) were the most economical with the ball.

But the visitors had the game wrapped up inside 36 overs with a strong middle-order performance from Khalid (37) and Aziz (28). In-form pair Will Davidson (19) and Tom Strickland (44) were both unbeaten at the end, each hitting out at a run a ball to take Settle to 162-5.

There will be no respite for Settle as they travel to Radcliffe on Sunday to face East Lancs Paper Mill in the Lancashire Cup.

Barnoldswick also recorded two wins over the weekend as they saw off Whalley by nine wickets and Oswaldtwistle Immanuel by 98 runs.

A stunning innings of 140 by opener Umar Saddique was the highlight of the victory over Whalley. He hammered nine sixes and 17 fours in his 93-ball innings and was joined in an opening partnership of 223 by Abdul Saddique (73no) as Barnoldswick cruised past Whalley's total of 241-7. Abdul Saddique was the pick of the bowlers with 3-62.

Abdul Saddique was in good form with the bat in the victory over Oswaldtwistle. He top scored with 73 and was supported by Luke Hodgson (42) as his side built a score of 238-9, despite Andreas Sudnik taking 5-67.

Oswaldtwistle were dismissed for 140 as Shashrika Pussegola (4-48) and Sajid Akhtar (4-17) took the bowling honours.

In contrast to their two neighbours, Earby suffered defeat by five wickets to Cherry Tree on Sunday to complete another blank weekend.

Adam Muller (43) top scored as Earby were bowled out for 126. Josh Yates (3-15) posed a few problems for Cherry Tree before they reached their target.

Settle's second team claimed their first win of the season after scoring 180-7 at Great Harwood. Juniors Adam Strickland (20) and Robert Johnson (18) opened the innings and their fine efforts were followed by John Tarbox’s second 50 of the season and an unbeaten 47 from his son Simon

Strickland took two wickets in the hosts’ reply, but the bowling honours went to spinner Kieren Ashley (5-56) as Harwood were dismissed for 133.