After a season blighted by the weather, the conditions came to Settle first team’s aid at Mawdesley.

The visitors were in familiar territory at 40-4, but the middle order rallied strongly. Archie Phillipson was back in form with a patient 25 from 64 balls, well supported by Benjamin Hulse (19) and Tom Davidson (18). Skipper Will Davidson then took the innings by the scruff of the neck, blasting 45 from 31 to haul Settle to 164 all out.

Mawdesley wobbled at 20-2 before their pro Dominic Hendricks took them to the relative comfort of 86-3. Once the weather intervened and Duckworth-Lewis kicked in, the hosts just needed a steady three an over, but tight bowling by Settle put on the pressure, with Ashen Silva taking 3-23 from twelve overs. Then two stunning catches from Will Davidson and Amar Ullah added 22 runs to the target, helping Settle to a winning draw and eleven precious points.

Settle’s first aim this season is now to stay in the top ten of the NPL to secure Division One status after the new pyramid structure applies in 2025. Currently in tenth place, they are 14 points clear of the bottom three teams and travel to Kendal on Saturday to stay in the hunt.

In Westmorland Two, life is much less complicated for Settle 2nd XI, who breezed to a nine-wicket win against Morecambe thirds at Marshfield. The visitors made slow progress to 159-9 with two wickets apiece for John Tarbox and Richard Bradley, and Nick Cokell chipping in with 3-30 at the end.

The reply saw under-15 Noah Smith once again bat with great authority to reach 39, followed by 76 at a run a ball from James Snowden, who struck thirteen fours, and 23 from Andrew Fry, both unbeaten. The game was wrapped up inside 24 overs, leaving the team second in the table and still in line for promotion.

A career-best 70 from Ed Bradley could not prevent Settle thirds from suffering a rare defeat. He hit six fours and five sixes, while Jack Caton gave mature support with 20 from 79 balls in their 90-run partnership. The team was chasing 141 from Kirkby Stephen, Ben Mitchell claiming 3-15, but fell short by just twelve runs.

This Saturday, Settle are hosting a ‘Blue For Bob’ match at Marshfield, to coincide with the same event in the Edgbaston Test match. While the 2nd XI host Trimpell, spectators are invited to wear something blue to support the Bob Willis charity for prostate cancer awareness, and add funds to the cause with donations at entry and enjoying other activities at the ground.