SETTLE pulled off a spectacular Ribblesdale League double after a dramatic final day of the season.

They defended their Senior League title to add to the T20 Cup by easily overcoming Oswaldtwistle and seeing rivals Ribblesdale Wanderers falling at their final hurdle.

Earlier in the week, the Ribblesdale League issued a tweet saying no spectators were allowed to attend the last round of fixtures due to the increase in restrictions in the area.

The Dalesmen put Oswaldtwistle in to bat at New Lane and soon had the home side struggling at 35-4.

Harry Snowden rounded off a fine year with 3-7, supported by two wickets apiece for John Tarbox and Tom Davidson.

Settle missed out on bowling bonus points, but chasing 94-9 was unlikely to be a problem.

A second-wicket stand between John Davidson (50) and Tom Davidson (37no) gave the visitors an eight-wicket victory inside 18 overs.

John Davidson has shouldered the absent batting pro’s burden all season with five half-centuries, topping the entire League’s table with 459 runs.

All eyes then turned to Church Meadow, where Wanderers had overcome Settle a fortnight previously and were expected to see off Read, especially after posting a total of 150.

But, Read crossed the line in the Clitheroe gloom with a couple of overs remaining to dash their hopes.

Settle Chairman Andrew Davidson praised the efforts of his players and club volunteers, as well as the great support of the community in difficult times.

He said: “One weekend we were able to field four senior teams, forty-four different players.

"We also have a superb junior section which is the source for the vast majority of our adult sides.

"Winning the double is a remarkable achievement, and the 2nd team also did us proud as runners-up in Division One.

"Not having any professionals this season has shown the true value of local players.”

Davidson was grateful to the other clubs who rose to the occasion and thanked the Ribblesdale League for organising a thrilling season in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

Elsewhere, Barnoldswick and Earby both faced the opposite fate in their final outings.

The former were defeated at Feniscowles with 19 runs the difference to lose out on third place, while Earby finished in ninth after Brinscall downed them by 34 runs.