ANOTHER successful weekend for Ribblesdale League Senior League leaders Settle saw them land 22 points in their rain-affected double-header.

They leant heavily on their overseas player Sadrian Ward at Euxton as the young West Indian smashed eight sixes and four boundaries in a knock of 89 from 63 balls while the rest of the top order struggled.

There were four ducks among the eight batsmen who did not make double figures, but a lower-order fightback from skipper Tom Strickland (23) and Will Davidson (22) left Settle on a healthy 167 all out from their 33 overs.

Not content with scoring most of Settle’s runs, Ward (3-62) then took all three wickets to fall in Salesbury’s innings, two catches going to Benjamin Hulse.

John Tarbox and Will Davidson kept their own bowling well below the required run-rate of five an over to leave the home side adrift on 119-4.

Ward (2-11) was again in the wickets as Settle entertained Padiham on Sunday, when Will Davidson took 3-35 while Callum Lockett and Tom Strickland claimed two victims apiece.

Robbie Davidson shone in the field with three catches, sending the visitors on their way to 116 all out.

Padiham’s South African pro Brady Barends (6-27) then made life difficult for Settle who were looking anxious at 56-5 with interruptions for rain adding to the problems.

However, Settle’s other West Indian star Demario Richards held the line, working hard for his unbeaten maiden half-century for the club.

His match-winning effort was backed up by 15 not out from John Davidson as Settle reached 120-6 to seal the win.

Barnoldswick suffered a narrow four-run defeat at the hands of Read on Saturday.

They looked to have done well to bowl out their opponents for 148 in 38 overs with Shashrika Pussegolla taking 5-47 and Patrick Turner (3-41).

Barnoldswick found the going tough against the bowling of Warren Eastham (4-19) and were restricted to 144-8. Umar Saddique top scored with 33.

The weather defeated Barnoldswick on Sunday. Just six overs were possible in Baxenden's reply to their total of 117. Abdul Saddique top scored with 33 for Barnoldswick as Ben Swindells took 4-37.

Earby have had little to cheer this season but Sunday's win over Euxton should raise spirits.

Matt Nutter's fine 80 was the cornerstone of their 157-9. Rain reduced Euxton reply to 20.1 overs in which they reached 60-2, below the adjusted target.

Saturday had seen Earby dismissed for 116 to lose by 78 runs against Padiham. Jake Hargreaves (4-66) and Ryan Levy (3-59) were the pick of the bowlers for Earby as Padiham made 194.

In Division One, opener David Hulse (18) laid down the bedrock of Settle’s innings against Salesbury as early wickets fell in difficult conditions at Marshfield.

Daniel Strickland (13) and Jason Paul (18) gave support while Tom Harris hit 19 and skipper Ben Mitchell struck 18 at a run a ball in a flourish at the tail, leaving the hosts on 97 all out.

Mitchell called on his experienced spinners Kieren Ashley and Jason Paul to open the bowling and they each responded with 14 tight overs.

Left-armer Ashley took 3-36, while leg-spinner Paul conceded just 11 runs for his two wickets.

The bowlers held their nerve and the fielders held their catches as the required run-rate steadily rose.

Mitchell himself took a wicket with his first ball in a superb spell of 3-18 from four overs, leaving a calm Ashley to bowl the final tense over which gave Settle their win by two runs, Salesbury closing on 95-9.