SETTLE collected seven Ribblesdale League points and revenge for a recent Ramsbottom Cup reverse when they beat Barnoldswick by 81 runs at Marshfield.

Key to success for the North Craven side was a fine all-round display from professional Stuart Hornby, but not only contributed 46 with the bat, but also had a 4-32 return from 18 overs when Barnoldswick batted.

The appearance of Matt Plant and Matthew Nutter in the Barnoldswick attack hinted at a degree of experimentation with a Ramsbottom Cup assignment the following day at Earby and a bowler absent.

But there was no wholesale plundering of runs from the stand-in duo, even though Paul Beech's 0-7 from six overs looked a case of letting the Settle batsmen off the hook..

The crucial partnership came from Stuart Hornby and Roger Hill, the latter scoring 77 in a partnership of 110 for the second wicket which formed the core of the Settle innings.

In fact five of the home batsmen failed to trouble the scorer, Michael Scothern finishing with a 5-31 haul and Settle closing at 151-7.

In normal circumstances, that would have been an attainable target, but on the day Barnoldswick were never at the races and fell well sort of expectations.

With Stuart Hornby and David Jolleys bowling through, Barnoldswick were always on the rack, opener Matthew Nutter being the only player to reach double figures as the visitors were put out for a paltry 70. Jolleys finished with 6-31 from 17.1 overs.

Earby's chance to peg back league leaders Read went begging at Whalley Road when a spot of recklessness in the batting department and a fifth-columnist in the camp - Extras contributed 43 to the Read total - saw them fail by 15 runs.

With 'Extras' top scoring for the home side via 17 leg byes, 12 byes, 12 no balls and two wides, Read's 199-8 tally was not quite what it might have seemed, but even then, on the relatively compact ground, the visitors should have had enough shots in their locker to take the points.

Instead, Earby had five players caught out looking for the big hit when a more conservative approach would have brought them their reward.

Craig Walton (33), Alex Scholefield (40), Ian Clarkson (44) and Stephen Hipgrave (28) all got themselves well established, but five batsmen perished to outfield catches and the Applegarth side came up 15 runs short in a game which should have yielded points. Earby are now 10 points behind the leaders.