A STAND-OUT performance from Eddy Read ensured Settle’s comprehensive victory over Ribblesdale Wanderers on Saturday.

The paceman took 5-22 from 13 overs, six of them maidens, to claim his 37th five-wicket haul in the Ribblesdale Senior League. It is thirteen years since Read first achieved this feat and with 679 wickets to his name he shows no sign of letting up.

Wanderers have had a decent record this season and elected to bat but lost an opener to Read with just seven on the board. Tom Davidson (2-36) soon joined in as Read worked his way through the line-up with only one batsman making double figures.

It was hard to get the ball out of Read’s hand, but spinner Dante Niles got the chance to remove the lower order in just three overs with an impressive return of 3-6.

Settle lost two wickets in the reply but the visitors’ total of 73 was overhauled in 17 overs thanks to unbeaten knocks by James Snowden (23) and Tom Davidson (28 at a run a ball), putting the Marshfield men once more at the top of the table, unbeaten and with a game in hand over the field.

On Sunday visitors Burnley knocked Settle out of the Lancashire Cup, posting 153 all out. Read again put in a solid shift with 3-30 from eight overs, while Harry Snowden, Will Davidson and Niles took two wickets each.

Settle then found it hard going with the bat, but Tom Davidson (13) and James Snowden (18) held the line until pro Ockert Erasmus took four wickets in four overs to reduce the hosts to 73 all out.

Settle seconds had a tough time at Cherry Tree in the Lawrenson Cup group stage, leaving them with only a mathematical chance of qualifying. Paul Clarke top-scored with 25 in a total of 96, and Gus Ogden, Will Tyrer and John Tarbox then claimed two wickets apiece, but the home side triumphed within 25 overs.

In Division Three, Settle’s Development XI lost at Earby in the Craven Derby. The Lancastrians were all out for 101 with Scottish international bowler Caitlin Ormiston (5-23) picking up a five-wicket haul on her Ribblesdale League debut, but Settle could only muster 59 runs in reply.

The 1st XI play host to Whalley on Friday in the T20 cup and travel to Earby in the league next day. The seconds entertain Stacksteads with a last stab at the Lawrenson Cup, while the Development XI are on the road at Read.