SETTLE fought their way back into contention for the Senior League title with two convincing wins over the weekend.

They were ruthless with struggling Feniscowles as Eddy Read was once again in the wickets, taking 6-19 in 11 overs. Pro Ashen Silva claimed 3-12 in just 4.3 tight overs as well as taking a diving catch inches from the ground.

The target of 57 was never going to be a problem, but Silva (25) and overseas amateur Danyl Husbands (20) wisely took their time, enjoying batting on another superb Marshfield track. They remained unbeaten as their side went through to a nine-wicket victory.

Having dealt with the bottom team in their league, Settle travelled to Salesbury to take on the top.

Once again the Dalesmen were uncompromising as opener Husbands (53) compiled a patient and stylish half-century, with the reliable Silva (61) calmly steering his team to a challenging total. Will Davidson took a more robust approach, smashing 35 from 15 deliveries as the overs ran out to leave Settle on 175-4.

Read (3-41) and Silva (3-51) did their jobs as expected in Salesbury’s reply, but opening bowler Simon Tarbox took 3-20 in seven overs with a fine display of accuracy and economy. The hosts ended on 142 all out, leaving Settle just three points behind them in the Section A table.

* Section B leaders Barnoldswick came away with two victories at the weekend, beating Whalley on Saturday and then a magnificent batting display saw them cruise to 70-run victory at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel on Sunday.

Batting first, Barlick put 254-5 with the bat, thanks to a ton by in-form wicketkeeper Majid Inayat and two half-centuries.

Inayat hit 116 not out off 112 balls and shared a brilliant third-wicket stand of 153 with Abdul Siddique, who hit 64 off 116 balls. Chalana de Silva came in a No 5 and smashed 55 off 28 balls.

In reply, Oswaldtwistle scored a respectable 184-8, as Jack Rietschel took 4-37 in 13 overs.

Barnoldswick also beat Whalley by 10 wickets on Saturday.

Earby had mixed results over the weekend, losing by six wickets at Read on Saturday but then beating Ribblesdale Wanderers by one wicket at Applegarth on Sunday.

In the game at Whalley Road on Sunday, Earby won the toss and chose to bat and scored 151 all out, led by a knock of 26 by top scorer Sam Parry.

But then Read opener William Wrathall racked up the runs, scoring 80 off 63 balls, as the home side cantered to victory in just 21.5 overs. Girvacques De Jager (2-26) was the pick of the Earby bowlers.

Then on Sunday, a brilliant bowling performance by Jovaun Van Wyngaardt led Earby to a narrow one-wicket win against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Van Wyngaardt 7-27 in 12.5 overs and Martin Windle chipped in with figures of 3-29 as Earby bowled the Wanderers out for 89 in 24.5 overs.

In reply, Earby found runs hard to come by as Ribblesdale opening bowler Okert Erasmus (6-37 in 13 overs) also had a great spell, by a steady and patient knock of 25 off 55 balls by Windle led Earby to a one-wicket victory in the 27th over.

* Settle II made just 48 all out at Feniscowles, though Sam Brown (20) and Robbie Pickard (13) batted well. The bowlers could not prevent a ten-wicket defeat.

Will Tyrer and Jason Paul took two wickets each for Settle III at home to Feniscowles as the visitors made 143-6. Jordan McKenna (19) and Kris Attewell (18) kept the reply alive but the home side finished on 88 all out.

This Saturday Settle firsts travel to Craven rivals Earby, currently second in Section B, while Settle II again take on Feniscowles, this time at home.