AFTER a sensational T20 victory over the England Legends on Friday, Settle 1st XI slumped to their worst league defeat of the season the next day.

In front of a huge crowd, the Legends went on the attack from the first ball, but Harry Snowden soon saw off former England keeper Phil Mustard while Eddy Read accounted for Lancashire’s Gareth Cross.

Mal Loye, another Lancashire stalwart, top-scored with 34 not out, but his Red Rose Team-mate Paul Horton (12,000 first-class runs) fell to skipper Will Davidson for eight. England’s James Taylor was bowled by Dante Niles (2-19) for a single. Joseph Pickles had the distinction of picking up two England heroes, Alex Tudor for 19, followed next ball by Steve Harmison for a caught-and-bowled to remember.

With a target of 155, John Davidson hit 35 at a run a ball, but Dean Headley, with 60 Test wickets behind him, removed Robbie and Tom Davidson. James Snowden (23) and Dante Niles then set about the bowling, the latter smashing 40 in just ten balls with four sixes to his credit.

Monty Panesar was at the receiving end but managed to clean bowl last week’s cup hero Benjamin Hulse.

In a thrilling climax, Read plundered 21 from ten to see Settle home with two balls to spare, with PCA England Legends gracious in defeat.

Settle came down to earth on Saturday, losing at Salesbury by 106 runs. Their bowlers had a hard time of it as the hosts made 192-5, but Ashen Silva picked up two wickets with one apiece for Niles and Will Davidson.

With four down for 27 in the reply, Davidson fought back with 32 at a run a ball, backed up by Niles (12) and Harry Snowden (15no), but the visitors were all out for 86 inside 29 overs. Although they already have the league title in the bag, Settle will not want to repeat this performance when they entertain second-placed Padiham this Saturday.

Settle seconds are still in with a good chance of retaining their Division One title after a six-wicket win against Whalley at Marshfield.

The visitors made 165-9, denying Settle a two-point bonus which could prove crucial, but John Tarbox (4-32) was back in action with twelve impressive overs.

Paul Clarke opened the reply with 32, while Paul Dockerty (32) and Nick Tyrer (28no) saw Settle home with a 58-run partnership.

There was also good news for the Development XI, coming up strongly in Division Three.

Padiham went for 82 all out with two wickets each for Theo Green, Will Tyrer and Richard Bradley, Thomas Darwin leading the batting with an unbeaten 33 to secure victory by six wickets.

In other news, Settle’s women’s team hosted their first ever fixture at home to Skipton last week, another great milestone in the history of the club.