SETTLE smashed their Senior League batting record on Saturday, passing 300 runs for the first time.

They made 310-6 against Cherry Tree and bettered the 273 they chalked up against Clitheroe in 2013.

Pakistan international left-hander Fawad Alam’s unbeaten 113, which contained two sixes and nine fours, set the tone.

The Davidson brother Will and Tom also enjoyed rich picking against the Cherry Tree attack.

Will made 62 from 44 balls and skipper Tom struck five fours and four sixes in a whirlwind knock of 58 from 34.

The hosts’ bowlers gave away 24 extras, while Sadrian Ward (18), Robbie Davidson (14) and Callum Lockett (13) all added to Cherry Tree’s misery.

The Lancastrians fought back splendidly, however, with three batsmen posting half-centuries and giving all Settle’s bowlers a hard time on the way to 266-5, a match-winning score in nearly all other circumstances.

The Preston Old Road spectators were treated to a total of 21 sixes and 49 fours with the aggregate score of 576 being the second highest in the Ribblesdale League’s history.

It was something of an anti-climax to see that Cherry Tree only got one point for their efforts, and Settle ten, but it cements the unbeaten Marshfield side's position at the top of the table with 90 points, ten ahead of Barnoldswick.

This Saturday’s match at third-placed Whalley could go a long way to deciding the 2017 title.

Barnoldswick were made to work hard for their five-run win over Salesbury.

Sri Lankan Shashrika Pussegolla made 51 - his third-successive half-century - and Patrick Turner 57no against a bowling attack spearheaded by Andrew Mercer (7-51).

Salesbury made 170-9 in their reply as Abdul Saddique (3-30) and Shoaib Khan (3-32) kept things tight.

Earby were unable to capitalise on a fine bowling performance from Matthew Nutter (6-41) as they suffered a 35-run defeat against Brinscall.

Liam Winstanley (47) and Ian Chaplin (35) helped Brinscall to 164-9. Earby were restricted to 129 by Lee Burgess (5-51) and Clayton Bisch (3-42).

Settle seconds had their worst day of the season, scoring just 74 all out in their home match against Stacksteads.

In mitigation, the visitors are a first team with only the lack of a pro keeping them out of the Senior League, but Settle know they performed well below par.

None of the first eight batsmen made above seven runs, relying on James Pickard (10 not out) and skipper Ben Mitchell (14) to prevent complete collapse.

The home side’s bowlers responded well under the circumstances, John Tarbox fighting back with 3-25 in ten overs, but Stacksteads could just take their time until a final flourish saw them over the line in 25 overs with seven wickets to spare.

Settle are still sixth out of nine in Division One and will look to up their game at home against Read on Saturday.