Settle have booked their place to meet Baxenden in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League's Ramsbottom Cup final after a thrilling run chase at Cherry Tree on Sunday.

This more than made up for the previous day’s 26-run Senior League home defeat at the hands of Ribblesdale Wanderers.

In Saturday’s match, the visitors made a challenging 222 all out, largely thanks to an innings of 83 at a run a ball by pro Agha Sabir.

Eddy Read and pro Harry Boam made early strikes but Sabir’s century partnership with David Howard defied most of Settle’s bowlers.

Skipper Tom Davidson finally brought himself into the attack to remove Sabir, then worked his way through half the line-up in just seven overs to finish with excellent figures of 5-30. Boam took 4-52 and wicket-keeper Robbie Davidson bagged three catches.

Settle’s reply looked comfortable at the start, despite the loss of Shaun Airey for ten runs.

Boam put on a 50 stand with James Freebury (26) but the next four batsmen only managed six runs between them.

This was a body blow from which Settle never fully recovered, though fighting innings from Stephen Booth (15) and Andrew Davidson (12) helped keep them in the chase.

But, above all, it was a superb century from Boam – his first on English soil – which gave Settle hope for victory.

He batted through the innings to record 118 runs, including four sixes and 14 fours, only to fall at the last to a sensational one-handed catch on the boundary.

So Settle had to pick themselves up for the next day’s semi-final. Cherry Tree were put in and, after a few false starts with the rain, were put through the mill by the pace and movement of seamer John Tarbox.

He claimed the first four wickets with help from fine catches by Boam and Tom Davidson, but could not dislodge West Indian Test star Brendan Nash, Cherry Tree’s sub pro for the day.

Spinner Dickon Morris then joined the attack, returning fine figures of 3-31 to keep Cherry Tree at bay.

Boam was brought back on to finish with 2-25, but Nash proved unmovable with a knock of 93 at a run a ball.

Cherry Tree’s total of 194 should have held no terrors for Settle with such a short boundary on offer, and openers Boam and Andrew McCracken duly put minds at rest with a magnificent century partnership as Settle seemed to be cruising home.

But Boam’s dismissal for 59 was swiftly followed by McCracken’s departure for 54, and the visitors suddenly found themselves on the back foot.

Morris was adjudged lbw, Freebury deemed run out first ball and Tom Davidson and Chris Gemmell departed soon after.

However, Brent Findlay took control at the other end, to be joined by Eddy Read in the final push for victory.

Findlay clinically found the boundary seven times in his unbeaten 48, while Read was staunch in support, defying the Cherry Tree attack with 11 not out.

Settle’s five-wicket victory in the evening gloom was well deserved and, as they have already defeated Baxenden this season, they can go into next month’s final with high hopes and realistic expectations of bringing the cup to Marshfield.

Settle’s second team were disappointed to lose at Feniscowles on Saturday.

Batting first, they lost four quick wickets but Tom Elliott hit a forceful 22 runs.

The innings was held together by Kieran Ashley’s gutsy 44, containing eight fours, with sensible support from Jack Walker (12no) for the team to finish on 123.

The home side completed a five-wicket victory but there were wickets for Damon Barrett (2-29), Nick Cokell (2-36) and Ashley (1-13).

This Saturday, both teams are looking for a quick revenge in the league, with the firsts travelling to Ribblesdale Wandeders and the seconds entertaining Feniscowles.

The third team will host Wander-ers on Sunday, and Twenty20 fans can look forward to an entertaining Settle v Skipton friendly at Marshfield on Friday evening.

Craig Walton pulled off an impressive captain’s performance as Earby swept into the quarter-finals of the Lancashire Knockout Competition.

They secured an eight-wicket victory over Northern League side Morecambe, with Walton taking 3-11 in his six-over spell to halt a runaway start to the visitors’ innings in a 30 overs-per-side game.

Needing 178 to win, Earby were indebted to pro Ali Azmat (98no) and Chris Walton (22no).

But there was a twist off the last ball with Mark Woodhead appearing to bowl a deliberate wide that went to the boundary to deny Azmat his century.