JAKE Hargreaves gave rock-bottom Earby a lift with a stunning bowling performance in their 66-run win Senior League Section B win over Baxenden.

Hargreaves took 8-30 as the visitors were bowled out for just 72 at Applegarth.

It enabled Earby to register only their second league win of the season and puts them in good heart for Saturday’s derby clash with Barnoldswick.

Anton Muller dominated the Earby innings of 138 with an unbeaten 72. That man Hargreaves (24) was the only other batsman to make double figures.

Settle racked up the Ribblesdale League’s second-highest total this season as they secured an 87-run win at Reed.

Following their own record-breaking performance of two months ago, the Marshfield men made 260-8.

Opener Asif Fazal top-scored with 66, while a fiercely attacking middle order of Robbie Davidson (33 from 20 balls) and Thomas Strickland (53 from 30) rocked the hosts back on their heels.

The pair hit seven sixes and seven fours between them, a performance followed by an unbeaten 45 from Tabassum Aziz down the order, as Settle cruised to 260-8.

At 131-5, Read were not entirely out of the match, but the visiting bowlers gave no quarter. Skipper Tom Davidson (5-44) top-and-tailed the host’s line-up to record his second consecutive five-wicket haul, while pro Imran Khalid (4-49) rooted out the middle order. Read were all out for 163 with eight overs to go.

Section B leaders Barnoldswick chased down Padiham’s score of 126 to register a five-wicket win.

Settle seconds pulled off their seventh straight win, thwarting Cherry Tree’s attempt to take over second place in Division Two, with a five-wicket success.

Apart from opener Michael Timmis (70no) the visitors struggled against relentless pressure from the Marshfield bowlers. Oliver Whyte and Josh Mullinder picked up two wickets apiece, while Simon Tarbox took the honours with 3-23 from ten overs.

Chasing 138-9, Settle opened steadily with John Tarbox (25) and Adam Strickland (14) before Mullinder (23) hit out at a run a ball. But it was Simon Tarbox, whose 43 runs completed a fine all-round performance, who saw the hosts home in partnership with James Holgate (17no) with five wickets down.