Settle Cricket Club are still coming to terms with the death of Molly Newhouse, their first lady president.

She died last Friday, and the club’s cricket chairman Andrew Davidson said: “All at the club are shocked and saddened by Molly’s passing.

“She was a true and loyal supporter and, over the years, put a lot of hours into the club.

“I had quite a battle to persuade her to take the position of president shortly after Malcolm Davidson’s death, but I actually think it was all bluff and kerfuffle!

“Really, I know how proud she was to be the club’s president. I think the possible job of making the odd speech was a bit nervy for her but I told her there were many ways around that one.

"I even told her she could mime from a tape! - shechuckled”

Davidson called on all members to be out in force next Monday and to give Molly a huge send off.

“I was about to take a small article for dad’s memorial game next Sunday July which I had ghost-written for her approval. Now the game will be in memory of both of them.”

Sunday’s extravaganza brings back to the ground a smattering of former Settle professionals, including Dave Jolleys, Paul Beech, Don Weavers, Stuart Hornby and Collis King.

“The idea is that some of the old pros who dad signed come back to the Marshfield together with some of the older players in the Ribblesdale League who have Settle connections – sons of fathers who dad was well acquianted with from Scottish club Gala and local outfits such as Padiham, Earby, Whalley and Barlick.

“They will return, together with one or two old warhorses from the club and, of course the family, who will see all four cricketing grandsons take the field for the first time together and son Gavin donning whites for the first time since 1979!

“It is a great opportunity for all of Mac’s friends in the valley – farming and sporting – to come to the ground and meet up with old pals and have a pleasant day out.”

Settle Brass Band will play at the interval and former Earby star Michael Chapple will unveil a bench in memory of Malcolm.

All Malcolm’s friends are cordially invited to come down.

Admission is £3 and all proceeds are going to the Malcolm and Molly Memorial Fund, which will be used to subsidise young cricketers to gain scoring, coaching and groundsmanship qualifications.

Meanwhile, Settle piad their own tribute on the field to Molly, winning all four games at the weekend – including defeating champions Baxenden.

Friday’s Twenty20 home game against Clitheroe started with a minute’s silence in tribute to Molly, and Clitheroe’s innings only lasted 16 overs as Harry Boam, Eddy Read and Chris Gemmell each picked up two wickets.

Wicketkeeper Robbie Davidson excelled himself, claiming four catches as the visitors made 71.

In reply, Brent Findlay blew Clitheroe away with 55 from 27 deliveries, smashing five sixes on his way to a win inside 12 overs.

The Marshfield fans were further entertained on Saturday as the home team took apart league leaders Baxenden, with a bravura all-round performance from Boam.

Batting first, the visitors limped to 82 for seven and were partially rescued with a mid-order fifty to take them to 142 all out.

They had six unused overs, thanks largely to Boam’s five for 26, with fine support from John Tarbox (2-35), Tom Davidson (2-25) and Read’s vital early caught-and-bowled of pro Babar Naeem.

Naeem did his side no favours by dropping Boam early in Settle’s innings, paving the way for the Kiwi’s rampaging 75 not out, helped along by Mark Verden (15) and a rapid finale from Davidson (20) and Read (11) to see Settle home by five wickets.

Boam now has over 500 runs this season in all competitions and 29 wickets. Settle are now fifth. The first team were at Ribblesdale Wanderers in the second round of the Ramsbottom Cup on Sunday.

Boam (24) was outshone by fellow New Zealander Andrew McCracken, who dominated the early overs with 45.

James Freebury (17), Findlay (14) and Gemmell (14) moved on the middle-order assault, and Read pounded 32 at a run a ball to leave the visitors on 195 all out.

Boam and Read then struck devastating blows at the start of Wanderers’ reply, removing both openers for nought.

The hosts fought back with good middle-order knocks, but the task was beyond them.

Boam finished with 3-27 and Read 3-37, Tarbox (2-18), Gemmell (1-14) and Findlay (1-16) and Freebury’s two fine catches allowing no escape as Settle marched on to the semi-finals at Cherry Tree on July 4.

Settle Thirds beat Read by four wickets, Will Metcalfe claiming 5-34.

On Friday, Settle take on Wanderers in a home Twenty20 match.