MARSHFIELD will be buzzing this weekend with Settle playing three first-team home matches in three different competitions.

Tomorrow the T20 Group Two leaders take on second-placed Ribblesdale Wanderers.

That is followed on Saturday by arrival of Padiham for a Senior League fixture, while on Sunday the Ribblesdale League champions entertain old rivals Read in a Ramsbottom Cup quarter-final which is sure to be hard-fought.

With the first team enjoying a break from action last weekend, the second team were the focus of attention.

An unbeaten half-century by Benjamin Hulse against Burnley Belvedere firsts helped steer his side into the Lawrenson Cup knockout stage.

This was despite a below-par fielding performance by Settle who at one stage were in danger of leaving the competition.

The visitors got off to a bright enough start as Simon and John Tarbox removed an opener each in the first couple of overs.

Settle’s bowlers stuck to their task, but with catches going down and some lacklustre ground fielding, Belvedere reached a respectable total of 136 all out. Hulse was an exception, backing up his bowlers with four catches.

Josh Mullinder was not at his best, but the left-arm spinner still took 5-36, his second five-wicket haul of the season.

John Tarbox took 2-5 in seven overs and now has 26 wickets this summer, the highest aggregate in the club.

Settle’s first four batsmen went for 24 runs in their reply, facing a moving ball under cloud cover.

Once the sun came out and the hostile opening bowlers had finished their spell, Hulse and Adam Strickland made the most of their opportunity with a 61-run partnership.

After Strickland departed for 30 at a run a ball, John Tarbox hit 17 in similar fashion leaving Kyle Handy to escort Hulse (52no) to his maiden half-century for the club as Settle won by four wickets.

Settle seconds have their best batting and bowling side in years but know they must sharpen up in the field to realise their potential.

They are more than capable of winning the Lawrenson Cup and are fourth in the Ribblesdale League Division One with realistic ambitions for a higher position.