SETTLE continue to dominate the Ribblesdale Senior League Section A after their 48-run win at Read.

Overseas amateur Danyl Husbands maintained his fine form with a knock of 76, as pro Ashen Silva (44) joined him in a second-wicket partnership of 116.

Tom Davidson then played a characteristic innings of 38 from 27 balls to leave Settle on 191-6.

Eddy Read is now the leading amateur wicket-taker in the Senior League with 49 victims to his name. He claimed 4-54 in 14 overs of pace, taking apart the Read top order.

Silva completed an assured all-round performance with a return of 4-29 to dismiss the hosts for just 143.

Settle have 156 points, 33 clear of Read and Padiham, and with just four games remaining are odds-on favourites to bring back the cup they last held two years ago.

Meanwhile, Settle II were dismissed for 55 by Salesbury on Saturday, with Sam Brown top-scoring with only 13.

Tom Harris (3-14) and Joseph Handy (2-16) fought back well with the ball but the visitors won by four wickets.

Sunday’s home match was an entertaining affair as Settle II’s mix of youngsters and veterans took on Stacksteads firsts.

John Tarbox claimed 3-27 from 14 tight overs and Angus Ogden picked up 2-26 as the visitors made a challenging 163-7.

James Snowden (22) and skipper Daniel Strickland (21) set the tone in reply, while Sam Brown (38) and Tarbox (36) each struck a six and four fours and ran the fielders ragged.

Settle were just five runs short of victory at the close with two wickets standing.

This weekend Settle's first team could put the title beyond doubt with matches at Brinscall and Ribblesdale Wanderers, while Settle II host Burnley Belvedere on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Jack Rietschel (87) starred with the bat, and Chalana De Silva (8-30) with the ball, as Barnoldswick dismantled Baxenden by 192 runs in Section B of the Senior League to maintain their big lead at the top.

Rietschel was supported by a composed knock of 42 from opener N Ahmed, and an entertaining 41 not out from Jonathan Beech at number eight.

Then it was all about De Silva's stunning individual effort. He dismissed three batsmen for a duck and two for a single, taking all the wickets to fall against Baxenden's depleted nine-man outfit.

Barnoldswick's double weekend sees them face a tough ask at a strong Ribblesdale Wanderers side next Saturday, before they host Oswaldtwistle Immanuel on the Sunday.

Earby beat Cherry Tree in a thriller in Section B, winning by just six runs. They made a dreadful start batting first, losing their opening three batsmen for a duck.

But a fine 51 down the order from Jason Lockley helped them recover to 120 all out.

Earby looked set to take the spoils, but Girvacques De Jager bowled brilliantly at the middle and lower order, taking 4-24, before effecting the run out of Earby's number 11 with the score on 114 to ensure a thrilling win.

Earby will look to down divisional rivals Euxton next Saturday, before facing a tough ask against Salesbury on Sunday.