SETTLE bounced back from the debacle of their Ramsbottom Cup defeat with a convincing seven-wicket win over Salesbury to maintain their position at the top of the Ribblesdale League’s Senior Division.

After rain reduced the game to 37 overs per side, Salesbury batted first and looked to be making good progress as they reached 75-2.

The game changer for Settle was all-rounder Callum Lockett. In 12 overs he returned figures of 5-47 as the visitors were restricted to 151-7. Will Davison picked up the two remaining wickets to fall at a personal cost of 26 runs.

A century opening stand by Sadrian Ward and Jack Harrison then put the match beyond doubt.

Ward recovered his form in the best way possible, hitting seven sixes and nine fours in a spectacular knock of 83 in just 39 balls.

Harrison scored 26 and the ever-present Lockett concluded proceedings with 13 not out as Settle cruised home in 19 overs with seven wickets remaining.

Tom Strickland’s team travelled to mid-table Euxton this Saturday, hoping to maintain the momentum which keeps them 16 points clear of Whalley at the top of the Senior League.

Whalley proved too good for Barnoldswick as they cruised to a 103-run win.

Whalley were struggling at 83-5 before Toby Bulcock 50 and Lee Kearsley (43) led a recovery which saw their side post a score of 173-8.

Patrick Turner (3-52) and Shashrika Pussegolla (3-57) were the best of the bowlers for Barnoldswick, who were bowled out for 70 in reply.

Sam Sweeney (5-46) and Toby Bulcock (4-18) were the bowlers who sent them crashing to defeat.

Earby's woes continues as they suffered a 49-run defeat at the hands of Cherry Tree.

Jake Hargreaves impressed with the ball as he claimed 5-45 as Cherry Tree were bowled out for 165, but that was the only high point for Earby.

Mark Hadfield followed up his 33 with the bat by taking 4-20 as he and Danny Chester (3-23) shot Earby out for 116. The top scorer for Earby was Matt Garner with 22.

Despite a heavy defeat at Read, Settle second team still hold on to sixth place out of nine in Division One.

The hosts posted a daunting 279-6, with Settle’s bowling options limited through injury. But they stuck at their task in the field, Kieren Ashley claiming three wickets and Joseph Handy two.

The reply saw the visitors struggling on 18-4 after eight overs, but a lively middle-order partnership between Daniel Strickland (45, nine fours) and James Pickard (30, six fours) gave respectability to the score. However, the final total of 115 all out came after 29 overs.