SETTLE warmed up for their toughest test of the season at home to Senior League leaders Baxenden on Saturday with a confidence-boosting win They triumphed by six-wickets over Whalley on a day when Earby had a nail-biting one-wicket win at Ribblesdale Wanderers and Barnoldswick suffered a humbling seven-wicket defeat at home to Clitheroe after being bowled out for 70.

Barnoldswick will be hoping to do much better when they visit fourth-placed Earby on Saturday.

Settle were given an early boost in their match when paceman Eddy Read removed Kamran Younas for just five.

There was some resistance in the middle order but John Tarbox removed the next three batsmen at a cost of just 18 runs in his eight devastating overs.

Pro Harry Boam chipped in with two wickets, but the final bowling honours went to Read who finished with outstanding figures of five for 44.

Settle’s catching was once again of the highest order and Robbie Davidson picked up two behind the stumps.

Severe inroads on Whalley’s total of 176 were made by openers Shaun Airey and Boam who posted a stand of 85 to take the pressure off the later batsmen.

Airey departed for 35 and James Freebury added 11 before skipper Tom Davidson hit the accelerator with a knock of 33 at a run a ball.

After last week’s rare blip, Boam was back in his usual form, batting assuredly throughout the innings and finishing on 60 not out, finally supported by Robbie Davidson (15 not out).

Settle wrapped things up at a canter with eight overs to spare, leaving them in sixth place.

Earby’s tussle with Ribblesdale Wanderers was a thriller and was ultimately decided in Earby’s favour by an unbroken last wicket stand of 17 between Michael Gamer (28no) and Michael Down (8no). They ensured their side edged past a modest Ribblesdale total of 150 all out.

Opener Craig Walton (64) produced the only substantial innings of the match as bowlers found the conditions to their liking.

Richard Craddock (5-40) and Ali Azmat (3-54) were Earby’s best bowlers, while Aghar Sabir (4-52) gave Earby plenty to think about before they reached their target.

Barnoldswick will want to forget their match with Clitheroe quickly.

Joshua Marquet took seven for 22 as they were skittled out for just 70. Clitheroe eased home losing just three wickets.

Settle’s seconds also beat Whalley by six wickets in their Division Two match.

Damon Barrett took four for 23 and Nick Cokell (4-29) as the hosts crumbled to 144 all out.

Youngsters Barrett and Peter Cook maintained Settle’s high fielding standards by pouching two catches apiece. A sound opening partnership by Will Metcalfe (12) and Cokell (23) set the scene for a classy knock of 39 by Kieran Ashley and a highly entertaining demonstration of straight hitting by David Hulse who smacked eight fours in his 43 not out.

Settle now lie third and their thoughts must be on promotion.

Sunday’s second team match at Brinscall and the third team fixture at Padiham were eventually abandoned, but not before both sets of visitors made promising starts.

Sean Airey (14), Andrew McCracken (26no) and Tom Strickland (32no) looked on top form for the seconds and Will Metcalfe took three for 31 for the third team, who will be entertaining Read this Sunday.

It’s a busy few days for Settle firsts as they start the fun by hosting Clitheroe in their Twenty20 fixture tomorrow evening.

Saturday match with reigning champions Baxenden is followed on Sunday by a testing Ramsbottom Cup tie at Ribbles-dale Wanderers.