IN a hectic weekend schedule, Settle firsts showed great resilience in winning all three NW League matches.

The trek to Feniscowles on Friday was rewarded with a thumping T20 victory as skipper Will Davidson smashed 63 from 25 balls. Pro Ashen Silva (35) and John Davidson (21) went at a run a ball, while Ben Hulse (20) and Archie Phillipson (15) kept up the pace to leave the visitors on 213-5.

Feniscowles had a solid start, but Will Davidson completed a stunning all-round display by taking 5-12, backed up by 2-11 from Tremaine Dowrich to seal the win by 116 runs.

On Saturday the trail led to Brinscall where a sporting wicket left the Dalesman on a worrying 129 all out in the Premier League. Silva and Dowrich made 28 apiece as Robbie Davidson dug in for 21 from 52 balls.

The hosts were struggling themselves on ten with three men down as Will Davidson (2-25) and Silva (3-33) ran through the top order, but they recovered to get within sight of their target. However, Phillipson took 3-18 for his best senior bowling performance, with Dowrich removing pro Jon Hinrichsen to secure Settle a 25-run victory and twelve welcome points.

Settle were relieved to be back at Marshfield on Sunday for their Hamer Cup tie against Cherry Tree, but were depleted through injury. James Snowden stood as the third wicketkeeper for the 1st XI this season and was rewarded with a catch for the first wicket, but Neil Timmers put the hosts to the sword with 93 in even time. Hulse was the most successful bowler with 2-31 as Cherry ended with an imposing 221-4 from the 40 overs.

Settle were pretty weary and had at times struggled in the field, but they showed real grit and determination to bat down the order to win by four wickets. Phillipson made 36, followed by 23 each from Silva and Will Davidson. The innings was dominated by a resolute 44 from John Davidson, before a freewheeling unbeaten partnership by Tom Davidson (21) and Snowden (19) saw Settle through for a home quarter-final against Little Lever who are unbeaten in the league.

The Development XI travelled to Whalley for their T20 group match where Elliot Marklew hit a magnificent unbeaten century. His 106 included 13 fours and four sixes in a total of 157-3. The hosts ran Settle close, but two wickets each for Theo Green and Jack Caton handed the visitors a four-wicket win.

Settle 2nd XI were let down by Brinscall who could not raise a team in NW Conference North, but at short notice arranged a T20 match against their Settle United FC friends. The spectators enjoyed this heartening demonstration of the town’s sporting strength and can-do attitude.