HEAVY downpours on Saturday morning left Marshfield unplayable and caused the NWCL game between Settle and Oswaldtwistle Emmanuel to be cancelled.

However, the second team travelled to Oswaldtwistle Emmanuel where play was possible. Put into bat on a difficult wicket Settle posted a challenging score of 160 in the main due to a fine knock of 91 by Andrew Fry.

The 160 included a stand of 51 for the 8th wicket between Andrew Fry and William Tryer, Fry’s contribution being 51.

The Settle bowlers led by Harvey Green with his superb 6 wickets for 9 runs in 6.1 overs restricted the home side to 90 all out giving Settle a well-deserved victory.

Due to fixture congestion, Marshfield being unavailable due to the rescheduling of the Hamer Cup semifinal, Settle 2nds conceded home advantage to Chatburn their opponents on Sunday. Chatburn won the toss and chose to bat reaching a score of 95 all out in 34 overs. All the bowlers used by Settle took wickets, Paul Dockerty having a particularly. good afternoon taking 3 for 19 in 10 overs.

Despite losing early wickets Settle were able to reach the target of 96 to win in 23 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Alex Drew was the pick of the Settle batsmen contributing 25 to the winning total.

As reported previously, the semifinal of the Hamer Cup had been disrupted by weather with Settle requiring 32 runs in 20 overs with eight wickets in hand to win. The game which was due to be completed on Sunday was conceded by Farnworth SC allowing current Ramsbottom Cup holders Settle to advance to the final to be played at Farnworth Cricket Club on Sunday August 27th. In the final Settle will meet old foes from the Ribblesdale League, Padiham in a repeat of the 2018 Ramsbottom Cup final in which Padiham prevailed.

Following the amalgamation of the Ribblesdale and Bolton Leagues to form the NWCL the Hamer Cup, historically played for by Bolton League Clubs, is now contested by NWCL Senior Premiership Clubs. The Ramsbottom Cup, historically played for by Ribblesdale League Clubs, is contested by teams in the NWCL Conference Leagues.