AS the only unbeaten side in the Ribblesdale's League Senior Division, Settle are now four points clear of Salesbury in Section A after beating Oswaldtwistle by five wickets on Saturday. 

After being short of wickets at the start of the season, Settle paceman Eddy Read came back with a vengeance at Oswaldtwistle to claim 7-56 in an unbroken 15-over spell.

He delivered his 18th five-wicket haul for his club as the hosts were hustled out for 101 in 30 overs. John Davidson claimed three victims in the field.

Settle did not have things all their own way, losing their first three wickets with just 20 on the board in reply.

Read has been in fine form with the bat this year, averaging over 30, and it was a 59-run partnership with pro Ashen Silva (25) that steadied the ship.

Read hit five fours and a six on his way to 41 as Settle crossed the line to win by five wickets.

Settle II pulled off a tight win at Marshfield despite falling to Read II for 106 all out.

In a match reduced to 32 overs, only a 57-run partnership between Anthony Clark and Joseph Pickles saved the team from embarrassment.

Fifteen-year old Clark scored 58 in his first innings at senior level, while Pickles (15) was the only other player to make double figures.

The last six wickets fell for four runs, so it was left to the bowlers to lead the fightback.

After limited success with his seamers, skipper Ben Mitchell handed the task to his slow bowlers, who held their nerve while his men held their catches in an excellent fielding display. Elliot Firth and keeper Archie Hancock each snared two victims.

Pickles took 4-12 to complete an impressive all-round performance, while Joseph Handy took 3-22.

Read fought hard, but with wickets falling at crucial stages they were all out four runs short of victory in the tense final over.

After a flying start to their season, Settle III met their match at Barnoldswick. The hosts posted 195-2 with Nomi Akhtar making 80 not out.

Thomas Darwin (60) and Edward Bradley (33) responded well, but the visitors closed on 157-9.

On Friday, Settle firsts host Barnoldswick in the 20/20 competition and travel to Salesbury in the league.

It is quarter-final day on Sunday with the firsts entertaining Read in the Ramsbottom Cup, while Settle II go to Cherry Tree to defend their Lawrenson Cup title.