AN improvement in the weather allowed Settle to resume its season over the weekend, although not before a “cancelled game off through waterlogged pitch“ notice was presented to the Settle club on Saturday morning at 9.30, which was swiftly rebuked via a neutral umpire inspection 55 miles away.

The decision was overturned and saw the first team travel in convoy to Lostock Hall to face Walkden Cricket Club, whose home ground was “unavailable” due to building works. Walkden won the toss and elected to bat. In very blustery conditions the Settle bowlers dismissed Walkden for 118 in 43.5 overs. Ashen Silva led the attack with a fine 5 for 39 in 15 overs. The other wickets were shared between Edie Read 2 for 24 in 7 overs and Tremaine Dowrich with a return of 3 for 30 in 11.5 overs.

Settle ground out a patient response in tricky conditions, at one point the score stood at 30 for 4. However, a 70-run partnership between Silva (44no) and James Snowden (37) allowed Settle to take full points with a score of 120 in 39 overs. Settle thus winning by 4 wickets.

Playing at home Settle 2nds batting first posted a score of 240 against Foulridge. Despite a healthy first wicket partnership Foulridge were dismissed for 80, Angus Ogden taking 6 wickets in a welcome return to form.

Sunday’s rearranged game against Little Lever, the top side in the NWCL standings, provided a different story. Little Lever won the toss and elected to field first. Against an accurate attack Settle struggled to post a score of 126 all out after 43.2 overs. Only Ashen Silva with 42 not out, Tremaine Dowrich 23 and Robbie Davidson 21 making meaningful contributions. A number of Settle players gifted their wickets with poor shot selection and decision making on a slow surface where patience and a bunker mentality were required.

Defending a relatively small total on an rapidly drying and improving wicket was never going to be easy and so it proved with Little Lever rattling off 130 for the loss of no wickets in just over 19 overs. Little Lever took all the points with a 10-wicket victory, overseas player Gaekwad and former top Bolton League professional Nasir making things look easy.

Meanwhile the 3rd team was enjoying more success at Salesbury. Salesbury having opted to bat were bowled out for 105 in 33 overs with Edward and Richard Bradley being the pick of the bowlers.

Settle was able to reach the target total of 106 in 22.2 overs, Adam Strickland top scoring with 31 and a very patient 22 from 60 balls by Noah Smith providing the basis for the win.

Next weekend sees Settle face old rivals Padiham in a league and cup double header, in what will be an historic 48 hours. This will be Settle’s last ever home 1st XI game against old Ribblesdale League rivals before they depart for the new pastures of the Northern Premier League. On Sunday both teams will head to Farnworth CC for the final of the Hamer Cup. Settle current holders of the Ribblesdale League equivalent (The Ramsbottom Cup) hope to add yet more silverware to cap off’ what for them, has been a rain disrupted and disjointed season.