IT was a hot and heavy week end for Settle as they pursued a historic first treble. With a barrage of fixtures and a sixth consecutive Friday, Saturday ,and Sunday diet.

On Friday in the T20 ¼ final v Brinscall, minus 5 regulars, In front of a large summer evening crowd the locals were entertained to a master class of stroke play from Burnley's sub professional Ockert Erasmus (67) and brothers Tom (68 from 39 balls) and John Davidson (30) steered Settle to a stunning 198/5.

Brinscall put up a fight with paid man Sri Lankan Franscisco giving a display of the highest quality. His lone charge of 104 no lacked backing from his fellow batters and Brinscall fell way short. However, all on the ground applauded the Sri Lankans top quality knock.

Settle have now qualified for finals day at Barnoldswick CC on Monday August 31.

It was back to league duty on Saturday with sub pro Leeward Islands and former Derbyshire and Northants star Chesney Hughes lending a hand.

Suffice to say that April favourites and last year’s challengers Ribblesdale Wanderers were put to “the sword”.

Outstanding batting from the Dalesmen ensued, with Skipper William Davidson yet again giving his side a Cape Canavral launch with a blistering 50 (38 balls).

It was then left for the spectators to lean back in the heat and watch a calypso side show from West Indians Hughes (85) and Niles (75no) who between them rained 20 fours and 5 sixes down on the surrounding properties.

Settle posted a massive 302/5 and a weary, bedraggled and at times fractious Wanderers outfit limped to 177.

Hughes doing the damage with 5/58. He worked in tandem with Will Davidson at long off, who relished the opportunity to show his catching skills as three skiers went down his throat.

Davidson also magnificently ran out Ahmed to cap a fine all round display. The win gives Settle a massive 43-point lead heading into the last eight games.

Onto Sunday and the local clash with long standing rivals Barnoldswick in the semi final of the Ramsbottom Cup.

Settle last lifted the trophy in 2005 and with reverses in 2010, 2015 & 2018, they have set their sights on the competition. On paper and form a formality, but they were given their sternest test of the season by a Barnoldswick team that hit the ground running with Amdad leading the way with a polished 44.

With 60 coming off the first 6 overs they were in the ascendancy, however they finished on on a fighting 189/9.

Settle lost Gould on 2 for a shock start but then a languid Goweresk innings from John Davidson (55), supported by Khalid (30), brothers Tom (43) and Will Davidson (15no) took Settle over the line in an innings timed to perfection.

It also showed a more conservative approach than has been their trademark this season.