WITH Settle first team’s match abandoned, it was left to the seconds to provide entertainment and a victory in their opening Lawrenson Cup game at Cherry Tree.

The visitors were put in to bat and found their progress restricted until John Davidson (33) and Adam Strickland (17) shared a third-wicket partnership of 41.

Lower-order contributions by John Tarbox (20) and Kyle Handy (17) helped Settle to 143 all out, but some casual batting at the end cost them valuable overs.

Tarbox (1-11) struck early for Settle in Cherry Tree’s reply and Joseph Handy (1-17) bowled tidily, but the match turned dramatically once left-arm spinner Josh Mullinder was brought on.

As so often in the past, his nagging accuracy and sharp turn left the opposition with no answer and his return of 6-27 from eight overs was the best of the day in the Ribblesdale League.

Settle’s fielding and catching were first-rate, the highlight being a diving left-handed catch by Tarbox in front of the sightscreen. The hosts were all out for 111 from 33 overs as Alex Gould crashed through the last man’s defence for his first wicket for the club.

This weekend promises an away double-header for Settle firsts, travelling to Euxton in the Ramsbottom Cup on Saturday, and to Brinscall for a league match on Sunday.

The seconds entertain Euxton for their cup clash on Saturday.