SETTLE firsts travelled to Baxenden where the home side got to 41 before their first wicket fell after strong and unlucky spells from Matthew Simpson and Baz Ward.

Baxenden then folded through the accuracy of Settle’s West Indian stars.

Shakeel Richards took 3-18 and Ward produced his best spell of the season, accurate and just drifting away from the bat, to claim 5-26 from 15 overs.

The visitors added good catching and two run-outs to the mix, producing a collapse to 92 all out with 18 overs remaining.

Settle batted sensibly, Richards in particular showing some class strokes, and used the lack of pressure to stroll to a convincing win, Tom Strickland finishing unbeaten on 34.

A small blip on 52-2 saw Robbie Davidson dropped. He then took the game to the opposition and went on to smash 22 in one over off Matthew Austin to take Settle over the line at 4.55pm with 24 overs to spare.

Settle have won seven from seven and move 24 points clear of Oswaldtwistle.

Saturday’s home fixture against that side may well be the Marshfield men’s sternest test yet when they come face to face with Indian wonder-kid Shubham Khajuria - 400 runs and averaging 66 with three double-hundreds in all formats. He is a player who can win a game single-handed.

Meanwhile, on Sunday at the Marshfield at 1.30pm, teams from the sister dales of the Ribble and Wharfe take centre stage and do battle to honour Settle President Tom Sharp.

A five-wicket haul from John Tarbox and a fluent half-century from Shaun Airey could not save Settle seconds from a 21-run home defeat.

They were facing Division One leaders Stacksteads first team and started well by restricting them to 132 all out.

Tarbox took 5-18 from 11 overs in a display of tight bowling that puts him at the top of the divisional averages as his club’s leading wicket-taker with 31 victims.

Skipper Ben Mitchell and Alan Lones took a couple of wickets apiece as the visitors were dismissed within 39 overs.

After Settle lost their openers cheaply, Airey hit a six to open his account, reaching 51 in 48 deliveries before being caught in the covers.

His partnership with Adam Strickland (18) ran the fielders ragged, but the pair’s departure saw the hosts fall away to 111 all out, having to make do with five bonus points when a win had once looked on the cards.