Earby bounced back from their Ramsbottom Cup exit to make it three wins from three in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League Senior Division.

Victory was suitably sweet for the Applegarth side as it came at the expense of their cup conquerors, Brooksbottom.

Batting first, Earby made 150-8 and then helped by Richard Craddock’s 5-16 dismissed their visitors for 84.

Bottom of the table Brooksbottom are now the only top flight team without a win.

Earby were put into bat by their opponents and suffered an early setback when in-form Matt Wilson departed for two.

Dave Crotty and Chris Walton moved the score on to 40 before the professional was caught for 15.

Run scoring continued to be difficult as both David Brown (4-68) and Steve Filkins (3-39) kept things tight.

Opener Walton made 36 while Matt Haines contributed 30 to a partnership of 50 with skipper Craddock (21).

Brooksbottom never looked comfortable against the bowling of Craddock when they replied.

After 13 overs they were 27-5 with four of the batsmen departing for ducks. Craddock was the main destroyer with four wickets. Brooksbottom captain Julian Marcroft joined Filkins and looked to steady the ship.

The two of them added 24 before Crotty bowled Marcroft for 19.

Crotty took two more wickets in quick succession before Walton removed opener Filkins for 34.

Victory was sealed when Craddock returned to the attack to claim the wicket of Brown.

Barnoldswick, last season's runners-up, opened their season's account with a six-wicket win at Oswaldtwistle including a first major contribution from new overseas amateur, Louis Delport.

The South African left-arm spinner has previously played in the UK for Surrey Championship side, Pyrford, and Carrickfergus in the Northern Cricket Union.

Now, he's making his mark in the Ribblesdale League courtesy of a 7-82 haul to dismiss Ossies for 161. Matt Nutter’s innings of 74 saw Barlick home with six wickets to spare.

Settle’s side was decimated by injuries, rugby and football commitments to the extent that they had just first team regulars on the field as they suffered a 68-run defeat. against Edenfield, Despite the absence of key personnel, Settle’s bowlers made Edenfield’s batsmen work for their runs.

Paul Gallagher’s determined 56 being the key feature of their 148-8 as Settle’s pro Imran Khalid took 5-63. The absences were really felt when Settle batted and were dismissed for just 80.