JUST seven days after being bowled out by 46 by Salesbury, Settle's batsmen returned to form with a bang.

They smashed their way to 332-9 as the champions romped to a 268-run Ribblesdale League Senior Division win at Padiham.

Opener Will Davidson set the tone as he struck a rapid 42 in an opening stand of 71 with Shakeel Richards.

The momentum was increased as Sadrian Ward joined Richards in a second-wicket partnership of 148.

Richards was unlucky to narrowly miss out on a deserved century as he made 98, an innings containing a six and 14 fours.

Ward peppered the boundary with seven sixes and six fours as Padiham's bowlers were made to toil in the heat.

A brisk 30 from Robbie Davidson helped swell the score to an impressive 332-9. Jimmy Gray emerged as the most-successful bowler with 4-89.

The Padiham reply never got going. Left-arm spinner Josh Mullinder picked up his fifth five-wicket haul of the season as the home side were dismissed for 64.

Mullinder finished with 5-23 while paceman Matthew Simpson took 3-21.

It was a comprehensive win which leaves Settle five points behind Oswaldtwistle Immanuel in the title race.