There was yet another dispiriting weekend for Settle 1st XI, losing their T20 off the last ball of the match, followed by a comprehensive defeat in the Northern Premier League.

Friday night’s game at Kendal was their last chance to stay in the competition. They got off to a great start with sub pro Navod Paranavithana (24), Lewis Smith (22) and Amar Ullah (32) cruising at a run a ball, leading to a total of 137.

The hosts responded in kind with Settle’s bowlers sharing the five wickets. In the tightest possible finish, three runs were needed from the last ball, which was clipped for four.

Paceman Will Vause had just been signed up by Settle from Blackpool and immediately found himself up up against his old club at Stanley Park on Saturday. He made a dramatic start, removing both openers with just 26 on the board, but the hosts took advantage of the superb county track and lightning outfield to pile up 254 for 5. Josh Boyne hit 122 in a mauling for the bowlers.

Settle were immediately on the rack when the new sub pro was removed in the first over of the reply, the second time a sub pro has not delivered runs in the league. Two wickets fell in quick succession, but Amar Ullah (24) kept on the attack at a run a ball. Benjamin Hulse (21) and Archie Phillipson (17) tried to rescue the situation with patient innings, but they ran out of support to leave Settle on 87 all out inside 30 overs, a sobering 173-run defeat. Their upcoming match at Chorley is a chance to rebuild batting confidence.

The 2nd XI had a much easier weekend, starting with a win at Cartmel in their Friday T20. Stand-in skipper Nick Cokell sailed to 59 at a run a ball, his side closing on 120-7. Cokell then took 3-12, supported by 2-17 from Lewis Holgate, to clinch a win by 27 runs.

Next day they took on Westgate at Marshfield, where the visitors posted a modest 137 total. Cokell was again in action, claiming 4-10 to clean up the lower order when it looked like the game was drifting away.

James Snowden was back in form with 63 runs in reply, with Cokell on 39 still enjoying his weekend. The four-wicket victory keeps his team in a comfortable second place in Westmorland Two. They welcome neighbouring Ingleton 1st XI this Saturday.

Meanwhile, away at Ingleton, the 2nd XI hosts avenged their recent defeat at the hands of Settle thirds in Westmorland Four. Jamie Ward (47) and Andrew Earnshaw (37) led Ingleton to 123 all out, Ryan Hewitt (3-23) the pick of the bowlers. Sam Walker then made 17 for Settle, but his side were hustled out for 75, Tom Young picking up 3-17. It was the first defeat of the season for the thirds, but they remain comfortably top of their table.

After so many cancellations and opposition concessions, the Women’s 1St XI skipper Rebecca Hulse hopes to get Settle’s season off the ground as they entertain Cherry Tree at Settle College ground on Sunday.