IT was a sobering weekend for Settle 1st XI, picking up a solitary point from thirty available in their double header.

Saturday’s match came and went in a flash, as Fleetwood’s finest tore through a fragile batting line-up.

The reliable Ben Hulse (12) held out for 54 balls, while James Snowden took a different approach, hitting 20 from 29. The lower order added runs in the shape of 22 at a run a ball from Will Vause, as Robbie Davidson was unbeaten on 19, but it was all finished inside 31 overs at 87 all out. There was no going back from nine runs for four wickets at the start.

Fleetwood seemed to have train to catch back to the coast as they knocked off the runs in sixteen overs for the loss of two wickets. The match was over by the normal tea break, not helping the bar takings.

There were some encouraging signs at Netherfield on the next day as Amar Ullah took 3-61 in the hosts’ total of 206-6.

The reply saw John Davidson make 23 and Snowden 17, while pro Ashen Silva held the line with 66 not out. Settle earned a losing draw at 143-8. They will be hoping for much better in the Bank Holiday double header against Mawdesley and Leyland in case Euxton pull off a couple of wins and upset the relegation prospects.

The firsts could have done with some of the second team’s runs on Saturday as they had 166 to spare, the amount they beat Burneside with. Skipper Nick Cokell made 87 while Paul Dockerty hit a half-ton. Pickles and Read chipped in with 17 apiece as the total climbed to 212-7.

The hosts could only manage 56 all out, thanks to top bowling from Eddy Read (3-9), Joe Pickles 3-16) and John Tarbox (2-3). Settle remain at the top of Westmorlad Two.