SETTLE’S three senior sides came away with winning draws over the weekend, but it was not all plain sailing.

The firsts were soon in bother facing Ed Moulton, Chorley’s ex-Lancashire paceman, who came in at fearsome speed on an unusually lively Marshfield wicket.

From the depths of 57-7, they were rescued by a 53-run partnership from skipper Will Davidson (32) and Ben Hulse.

As so often in the past, Hulse played a patient, orthodox innings as the backbone of the side, unbeaten on 52 from 102 deliveries. He was joined for the last wicket by Will Smith (27no) as the pair ran the visitors ragged with quick singles to reach a competitive 168-9.

Chorley came within 20 runs of that total but were restricted by tight bowling from Davidson and Ashen Silva (two wickets each) and 4-49 from Amar Ullah who snuffed out any chance of a last-wicket flourish.

With a quarter of the season remaining, this weekend Settle face their toughest challenges of the summer so far.

They entertain league leaders Fleetwood on Saturday, then head to fourth-placed Netherfield next day. They still have a 30-point buffer above the relegation zone and will look to consolidate their position.

The second team picked up ten points in Westmorland Two, though they are more accustomed to straight wins at the top of the table.

They racked up 240-9 at Trimpell, with opener Noah Smith (41) once again setting the tone. Andrew Fry (38) is prolific this season, but the innings was dominated by a blistering 90 off 72 balls from Harvey Green.

In his highest knock at this level, he smashed 14 fours and for sixes. Playing only his third game in three years, James Pickard cracked 22 at a run a ball to send his side to 240-9.

Trimpell responded well with 105 from opener Paul Thompson and looked well placed at 165-4 but Joe Pickles took 3-47 to set them back. The bowlers kept a tight hold at the end as the hosts reached 199, but they could not winkle out the last four wickets for full points.

Westmorland Four South is still led by Settle 3rd XI, who claimed nine points at Westgate.

Under-15 Sam Walker hit a career-best 46, backed up by 31 from skipper Nick Tyrer on the way to 136-7. The hosts responded with 112-8, with two wickets apiece from Ed Bradley, Sam Walker and Jason Paul, whose leg-spinners were rewarded by two stumpings from Alf Walker.