SETTLE'S home match against Brinscall was the only game to be played in the entire Ribblesdale League on Saturday.

That any play took place at all was due to hours of mopping up by players and Robin Towler’s tireless ground staff.

In a fixture reduced to 22 overs, Skipper Will Davidson had no hesitation in putting the visitors in to bat, but Brinscall did well in the circumstances, reaching 96-6 thanks largely to their Sri Lankan pro Nisal Francisco making an unbeaten 48.

Eddy Read kept up his good form with a return of 4-49, Davidson chipping in with 2-44.

The pace of Settle's reply was determined by the threat of more rain, as John Davidson hit 21 from 16 balls, followed by brother Robbie (24 from 21) and finally Will himself with 23 from 15 deliveries.

The target was met in just 15 overs with 6 wickets down.

Settle travelled next day to Oswaldtwistle not expecting much luck with the weather on a ground often slow to drain.

After much discussion, the umpires agreed a reduced-over contest, Will Davidson again inserting the opposition.

He was delighted with his decision as he proceeded to take 7-26 from eleven overs, a career-best achievement.

Ossy were all out for just 83, but Settle quickly lost both openers in the reply.

However, pro Ashen Silva made an unbeaten 56 from 44 balls, his fourth half-ton of the season, while at the other end overseas amateur Dante Niles hit 22 not out at a run a ball, the game won inside 14 overs.

Settle picked up an unlikely 22 points over the weekend while other clubs had to accept three points per match after abandonment.

The Dalesmen are now on 203 points in the Senior League, with a game in hand, a massive 50 ahead of Read in second place.

The 2nd XI are top of Division One, 35 points clear of Burnley Belvedere, while the 3rd X! are second in Division Three, the latter team boosted by a maiden ton from James Pickard who made 117 against Cherry Tree.

Not to be outdone, Settle’s junior sides are excelling in the Upper Airedale League. The U15s finished top of the table, while both the U13s and U11s ended top of their North Conference tables. Settle U9s also reached their cup final.

This weekend, Settle host Whalley on Saturday in the league, travelling to neutral Salesbury next day to face Cherry Tree in the Ramsbottom Cup final. With the T20 finals day fast approaching, Settle are aiming for a unique treble this season.

And last week's fixture saw Settle maintain their remarkable 100% record this season with a convincing win over Craven rivals Earby at Marshfield on Saturday.

After electing to bat, the visitors soon lost a wicket to Harry Snowden, but Jake Greenbank (23) and pro Prasansana Jayamanne (16) put up a stand of 34 steady runs.

Although it took Eddie Read nine overs before he picked up his first wicket, his skipper Will Davidson wisely kept faith in him to bring a reward of 3-40, including the pro, from 15 relentless overs. Earby were struggling at 59-6, but Chris Bowker top-scored with an unbeaten 25 to hold the fort.

Once Read had done the hard yards, it was left to the Settle trio of Will Davidson, pro Ashen Silva (each taking 2-8) and Tom Davidson (two wickets for one run) to see off Earby for 90 runs inside 38 overs. Robbie Davidson had an excellent afternoon behind the stumps, supporting his bowlers with four fine catches as well as conceding no byes.

The reply saw Alex Gould smack three rapid fours before departing lbw to Jake Hargreaves. Young left-arm bowler Adam Hodge made life uncomfortable for Settle with his hostile pace and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket.

Left-handers John Davidson and Silva had a resolute partnership of 37 before Davidson (22) was bowled by Hargreaves.

The hosts then had a wake-up call with three wickets suddenly falling to Jayamanne (3-12) with the total on 77, but the unflustered Silva was unbeaten on 40 as he saw the defending champions over the line with an immaculate off drive. Victory came with 22 overs to spare and five wickets down, giving Earby a consolation bonus point.