ONLY one match was played in the Ribblesdale Cricket League - and Settle will be wishing that it too had fallen victim to the torrential rain.

Playing at Cherry Tree their season got off to a disappointing start when they were on the end of a remarkable all-round performance from Cherry Tree's Pakistani professional Naeem Ashraf.

Settle lost the toss and were put in to bat and tight bowling and a damp outfield made runs difficult to come by.

When Mark Verden was dismissed in the ninth over, Settle had made just seven runs for the loss of two wickets.

Tim Green and professional Surendra Bhave dig in to try to redeem the situation but, after a long interruption for rain, both fell victim to catches by Ashraf off Cherry Tree captain Gary Bolton.

Wickets then fell at regular intervals as Settle's only real chance of saving the game was to occupy the crease and use up their full quota of 45 overs. They managed to do this and their innings closed with the total only having reached 56 for eight with Ashraf returning figures of 19 for three off 23 overs.

With very little time remaining, Settle were left in a no-win situation so it was a case of trying to stop the Cherry Tree batsman making swift runs.

However, Ashraf produced an incredible display of aggressive hitting scoring 43 not out from just 176 balls with four fours and two sixes.

David Jolleys, making a welcome return to the Settle club, took three wickets but was unable to stem the flood of runs from Ashraf's bat.

Cherry Tree reached their target from just five overs.

Settle, though disappointed, were also battling the conditions and were unlucky to find Ashraf in such devastating form.

Settle: Bhave c Ashraf b Bolton 15; R Hill c Ashraf b Bolton 0; M Verden c Bolton b Ashraf 0; T Green c Ashraf b Bolton 10; R Preston b Ashraf 8; C Nolen c Butler b Bolton 3; D Jolleys c Reed b Ashraf 1; A Fergie not out 8; M Dodgson run out 2; J Dolby not out 3. Extras 6. Total (8 wkts) 56.

Bowling: Ashraf 23-12-19-3; G Bolton 20-9-31-4l C Hopwood 2-0-4-0.

Cherry Tree: Ashraf not out 43; G Bolton lbw Jolleys 6; P Reed b Jolleys 0; M Veevers c Bhave b Jolleys 8; N Robbins not out 0. Extras 2. Total (3 wkts) 59.

Bowling: D Jolleys 3-0-32-3; C Johnson 2-0-24-0.

Play started at two other Ribb league grounds before play was abandoned. Read reached 28 for none at Blackburn Northern and Ribblesdale Wanderers were 63 for two at home to Whalley before the rain came down.

Barnoldswick and Earby's teams did not play at any level but Settle Thirds did manager to start at Marshfield where Cherry Tree's Thirds were visitors. Settle made 98 for nine and Cherry Tree passed the target for the loss of nine wickets.

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