IN a weekend programme dominated by overseas players, Settle were on the receiving end in the T20 quarter-final but again came good in the league in their third double-header in three weeks.

Feniscowles came to Marshfield to find Settle in attacking mood. John Davidson and pro Ashen Silva hit 20 apiece while opener James Snowden cracked 64 from 45 balls. Benjamin Hulse chipped in with 19 to leave the hosts on 164 all out.

Eight an over was not an easy target, but Sri Lankan pro Sehan Weerasinghe hit the bowlers all over the park, his unbeaten 114 coming from 59 deliveries with ten fours and six sixes.

Undeterred by their nine-wicket defeat and exit from the T20 cup, Settle travelled to Baxenden on Saturday to hit a challenging 257-7. John Davidson opened with 33 from 25 balls but Silva scored a magisterial 89 not out with overseas amateur Dante Niles making 52 from 43 balls. Harry Snowden lit up the tail with 27 at a run a ball.

Baxenden’s reply turned into a procession with Eddy Read (2-10 from six overs) promptly claiming the first two wickets, leaving Silva (3-20) and Niles (5-20), his second five–for, to see the hosts off in 27 overs.

On Sunday Cherry Tree reached 153-9, their last pair making 46, defying everything eight Settle bowlers could throw at them, but not before Silva claimed 6-33, his best figures on the season.

Settle were never under much pressure at the crease, as Tom Davidson (19) and John Davidson (18) laid the foundations. Robbie Davidson was 34 not out at the end, but the crowd were treated to another batting masterclass from Silva who was unbeaten on 60 as Settle won by seven wickets.

Settle’s Development XI had a good day out at Oswaldtwistle, skittling the hosts for 66 runs and knocking them off in 15 overs to claim an eight-wicket win. The XI will be at Cherry Tree on Sunday.

This Saturday the 1st XI are on the road at Ribblesdale Wanderers, while their corresponding second team come to Settle.

In other news, Settle CC U11s finished runners up in the Black Rat Cricket Six-a-side Festival, losing the final on a bowl off after a tied match last week.

The U11s section featured guest club Alwoodley on the Headingley pitch along with Barnoldswick, Earby, Settle and Skipton. The front runners were Alwoodley and Settle and their pivotal match was a cracker, won by Alwoodley with 43-2 just ahead of Settle 39-1.

Across at the Old Trafford arena Upper Wharfedale set the early pace but were defeated by Oakworth and Steeton who both finished at the head of the group. Oakworth with 45-0 won the encounter with Steeton 44-1. Oakworth remarkably never lost a wicket in their four group games.

The semi-finals were Oakworth vs Settle and Alwoodley vs Steeton. This time Oakworth lost one wicket but scored just 33 in the face of top bowling from Settle, who edged out the Craven League side with 34-1. Alwoodley won more comfortably against Steeton who tallied 24-5 in response to the guests' 47-4. The Final was to be an amazing match between Settle and Alwoodley, who had won their earlier group encounter. Alwoodley posted 51-3 and Settle matched it with 51-2 in a scintillating tied match that was decided by a bowl-out which supplied Alwoodley with their second trophy of the day.