Settle first team’s match at Padiham in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League ended in agonising fashion with defeat off the last ball from an overthrow with one wicket remaining.

The visitors got off to a dream start with a third score in the nine-ties this season for pro Harry Boam.

His total of 92 was the backbone of the Settle innings and his opening partnership of 174 with the ever impressive Andrew McCracken (70) was the highest for the team this season.

Boam put away 12 fours and a six, while his partner hit eight boundaries and two sixes.

The Kiwi pair were finally separated after 37 overs, allowing skipper Tom Davidson time to hit a quick 19 and Chris Gemmell and James Freebury 12 runs apiece out of 240-5.

Things were still going swimmingly for Settle as Boam removed Padiham’s first three with only 31 runs on the board, leading to final figures of 4-62.

But there was massive resistance in the middle order as Settle’s other bowlers struggled to make a breakthrough.

Cue spinner Andrew Davidson, whose vast experience was called upon to remedy a critical situation.

The batsmen immediately found him hard to get away and his outstanding return of 5-57 from 14 overs hauled Settle back in contention.

Then came the drama. With the last man in and one ball to go, the hosts needed just one run to tie the match.

As the batsman scurried home, fielder Dickon Morris sensed victory and instinctively hurled down the stumps but a cruel deflection sent the ball to the boundary to seal a remarkable win for Padiham.

Settle’s second team had a much easier time of it at home, beating a struggling Ghyll by 152 runs.

Opener Tom Strickland set the tone with a fine 50 from just 32 balls, but the innings was dominated by a career-best 83 from Will Metcalfe, who struck ten fours in 60 deliveries.

His departure led to a quick fall of wickets, but Peter Cook notched 33 runs in an unbeaten 50 partnership with his father Nick, who returned to form with 47 at over two runs a ball.

The hosts’ 268-6 was far too much for Ghyll, despite resistance from their last pair.

Paceman Andrew Booth (4-36) took the bowling honours, with sharp catches from Metcalfe and Kieran Ashley and a direct-hit run out from skipper Cook setting the standard in the field.

Another busy weekend for Settle, the first team host Ribblesdale Wanderers in the Senior League on Saturday, while the seconds visit Feniscowles.

On Sunday, the firsts are at Cherry Tree in a Ramsbottom Cup semi-final, and the third team entertain Great Harwood.