It’s tough at the top for Settle’s first-team batsmen.

After last week’s dismissal for 50 at Fulwood, they hoped to put matters right while entertaining Kendal.

The NPL defending champions arrived with a pair of Lancashire 2nd XI players and their innings gave promise of an even contest. A big middle-order stand took the visitors to 150-5, but Settle’s bowlers restricted them to 180-9 from 50 overs.

Amar Ullah and pro Ashen Silva took a couple of wickets each, but Tom Davidson (5-45) removed both openers and bagged his first five-fer since returning from injury.

At that point it ceased to be a fair fight. In 20 overs, the hosts were all out for 40, their lowest total in decades. Lewis Smith (10) made it to double figures, while Benjamin Hulse did another survival act for 33 balls, but he had to watch five wickets fall for eight runs at the other end until he was run out for four.

Settle could not bounce straight back as Monday’s match against Netherfield was washed out, but they will aim to put things right before this weekend’s tough double-header away at both Fleetwood and Garstang.

And Kendal are back at Marshfield on Friday night for a T20 when the hosts hope to make amends.

Settle’s second string lie sixth in Westmorland Two after tying with 150 runs each at Shireshead. The full scorecard was unavailable at press, but Gus Ogden and Richard Bradley too two wickets each and Nick Cokell claimed three. In reply, Andrew Fry made 26 and there was a welcome half-ton for John Tarbox, with a match-saving innings of 58 from 83 balls. His team play host to Netherfield 3rd XI on Saturday.

The only outright Settle victory came from the third team, now top of Westmorland Four South. They dismissed Heysham for 50 thanks to top bowling from Jack Caton (4-7), Caitlin Ormiston (3-14) and Sam Walker (2-11). Ryan Hewitt’s 24 at a run a ball sealed the match in seven overs, and the team look forward to meeting Appleby on Sunday.