Settle suffered their first Houldsworth Ribblesdale League Senior Division defeat in three weeks at Cherry Tree last Saturday.

In a high-scoring game at a ground with a notoriously short boundary, Settle elected to bat.

Openers Mark Verden and Andrew McCracken got off to a good start but were both caught out after making 19 and 25 respectively, with No 3 Dickon Morris adding a patient 35.

Professional Harry Boam, having recently shaved his characteristic blond locks, was removed cheaply (8) for the first time this season.

Boam’s batting statistics, however, have only been partially humbled – the Kiwi is still averaging 85.

Captain Tom Davidson continued his electric form, smashing 50 not out in only 36 balls but the top scorer was Brent Findlay, who hit a magnificent 11 fours and six sixes before being run out in the cruellest way possible – backing up at the non-striker’s end when just one short of his century.

Chasing 261, the home side punished the Settle seamers in posting an opening stand of 101 but the introduction of spin seemed to make the difference as second-change Morris snared both openers after just four of his overs.

Cherry Tree’s middle order continued the punishment, how-ever, with professional Paul Turner notching up 83 not out.

Morris continued his best eff-orts to make it a difficult run chase, finishing with 5-68, partially thanks to two catches from Findlay.

Unfortunately for Settle, Cherry Tree ended an exciting game victoriously with only one over to spare.

This Saturday, Settle hope to improve on their ninth place when they host Whalley, who they recently despatched in the Ramsbottom Cup.

With Settle Seconds having a bye last weekend, attention focused on the third team’s battle with Burnley Belvedere at Marshfield on Sunday.

Settle swept through the Burnley team, who only managed 83, with spinners Peter Cook (4-24) and Laurence Read (3-24) doing most of the damage.

Then Sean Airey hammered 61 in 38 balls, while Lawrence Read chipped in with 24 not out as Settle won by ten wickets.

Settle Seconds travel to Whalley on Saturday and are on the road again on Sunday against Brinscall, with whom they share five wins. Settle’s third strings make the trip to Padiham on Sunday.

Barnoldswick captain Richard Nichols hasn’t been pulling many trees up with the bat but his bowling helped them defeat Read in a tight encounter.

The former Bradford & Bingley and Lightcliffe player took 5-53 as second-placed Read fell short by 18 runs – only their second league loss of the season.

However, Nichols wasn’t the most influential player in the victory as opener Matthew Nutter hit a superb 137 off 109 balls in their 230, including 22 fours and four sixes.

The next highest scorer was 29 as Chris Holt took 5-66. Read were 82-5 but were revived by Mohammed Jamal (60), Jaffar Nazir weighing in with 3-71.

Earby professional Ali Azmat 4-47 and 50) did the business as Padiham were defeated by four wickets. Abid Abbas (87) and Shahid Nawaz (50 and 5-49) shone in Ghyll’s 113-run win over Earby Seconds.