In a weekend of mixed fortunes, there were runs galore for Settle 2nd and 3rd elevens, but the 1st team batsmen had a harder time of it.

Marshfield on Friday night saw a nail-biting finish in the second team T20 against Penrith. The visitors made 95-7, with two wickets apiece for John Tarbox and Paul Dockerty.

The reply saw solid work from skipper Elliot Marklew (14) and 15 each for Dockerty, Dan Strickland and Harvey Green. It all came down to the final over, with four runs needed for victory, but three wickets fell in the dash for the line to give Penrith a win by two runs.

The tables were turned in a big way next day in the Westmorland Division Two match. James Snowden went on the rampage to hit a stunning 185 runs, including twelve sixes and eleven boundaries. It was by far his highest score, but under-15 Noah Smith (56) recorded his maiden half-century, occupying the crease for 99 balls in a mammoth 173 opening partnership. Green added to Penrith’s misery with an unbeaten 47 in 24 balls as Settle closed on 313-3.

The shell-shocked visitors lost two wickets in their first over, bowled by Harris Dinsdale (3-14) who removed three batsmen with just two runs on the board. John Tarbox turned the screw with typically tight figures of 3-8 from seven overs, but Penrith held out for a draw with 111-9 at the close. They deserve some sympathy, travelling 220 miles in 24 hours, but Settle’s 13 points put them just six behind the leaders in a congested top of the table.

After a flying start to their first NPL season, the 1st XI batsmen were swept away at Fulwood & Broughton. Only three players made double figures, with Benjamin Hulse, in at five, last man standing with 15 not out, defiant for 73 balls.

The total of 50 all out from under 30 overs was never a challenge for the hosts, but Amar Ullah (2-16) kept on some pressure until F & B sailed home in 14 overs. Despite this loss, Settle are in a strong position in the league. They are in sixth place but have two games in hand and hope to recover batting form against Kendal on Saturday and Netherfield on Monday in a fascinating Bank Holiday double-header at Marshfield.

However, the firsts had success in the first round of the 40-over cup at Mawdesley, Ullah, pro Ashen Silva and Tom Davidson each taking two wickets in the total of 158-8. Settle then lost five batsmen in single figures, but 26 from Ullah and a match-winning 87 at a run a ball from Silva saw the visitors through.

 Another Settle milestone was reached on Sunday when 16-year-old Harvey Green notched up his maiden century. He made an unbeaten 102 at a remarkable run a ball in the 3rd team total of 267-5 against visiting Sedgwick. Although his innings dominated proceedings, important contributions came from Ryan Hewitt and Ben Mitchell (38 each) and 25 from Will Tyrer.

Scotland international Caitlin Ormiston (2-23) then took Settle’s first wickets and Lewis Holgate maintained his good form with 3-13. Under-15 Max Gilchrist claimed 2-17 on senior debut, well supported by old hand Jason Paul (2-9), producing a 159-run win.

Apart from absorbing first team home matches in prospect, Settle thirds are at Shireshead & Forton on Friday for their first T20 clash, and at Heysham in the Division Four on Sunday. The seconds also travel to Shireshead & Forton on Saturday.