DANTE Niles made 95 runs and took seven wickets on Settle Cricket Club's championship-winning weekend.

Congratulations poured onto Settle’s social media on Sunday night as their first team scooped up a record-breaking fourth consecutive Ribblesdale League Senior Division title.

Their double-header of victories put them in an unassailable position even though there are still four matches to play this season.

The weekend didn’t start that way, however, with Settle’s top order still fragile after their Scottish Borders tour.

 

They found themselves in a lot of trouble at 48-5 hosting Brinscall, but Benjamin Hulse and Paul Dockerty held the line until Niles took the innings away.

Hulse (56) was the bedrock of Settle’s recovery, hitting his second half-ton for the firsts with classy clips off his legs and strokes through the covers.

It was impossible to set a field for Niles as he smashed 13 fours on his way to 63.

Joseph Pickles (16) and Harry Snowden (19no) took the home side to an unlikely 241-9.

Brinscall got off to a much better start than the hosts, looking comfortable at 102-4 with top strike bowler Harry Snowden injured.

Skipper Will Davidson claimed the first wicket with a great low catch by stand-in keeper Hulse, after which professional Ashen Silva took an impressive 3-11, a return topped by 5-34 from the spin of Niles who completed a stunning all-round performance, all supported by three catches by James Snowden.

A win by 132 runs was the reward.

Meanwhile, on the following day, Sunday, Oswaldtwistle were put in to bat on their patch, making 141-8. Eddy Read struck first while Harris Dinsdale was thrown in the deep end opening the bowling in place of Harry Snowden.

On his debut for the first XI, the 18-year-old paceman bowled four maidens in a fine seven-over spell, conceding just 17 runs.

Niles took two wickets but Will Davidson (4-35) was the pick of the bowlers.

At 28-3 Settle were not having things their way in reply, but Silva (35) calmed the nerves, with Hulse (14) and Davidson (19) backing him up. The all-important win was still in doubt until Niles struck an unbeaten at a run a ball to see Settle through with two overs remaining.

Following their title win, Settle CC tweeted: “4peat. CHAMPIONS A huge achievement, congratulations to all our players and members who have contributed this year, games are won on the pitch, championships are won off it!”

Meanwhile, there may be more title success elsewhere in the club.

Settle seconds are now at the top of the Ribblesdale League Division One in their defence of that title after a quick win at Chatburn.

Settle’s Daniel Strickland took three wickets with Dinsdale and Gus Ogden claiming two apiece as the hosts folded to 72 all out in 22 overs.

Nick Tyrer (13no) and Robbie Pickard (12) then led the way at the crease, Settle winning by five wickets as their title charge gathered morte momentum.

This Sunday, Settle first team host Read in the Ramsbottom Cup Final, hoping to repeat last season’s league and cup double.