MARSHFIELD chairman Andrew Davidson has hailed Settle’s young guns after they lifted the Ribblesdale League’s Twenty20 crown.

Settle landed their second trophy in the league’s short-form competition at Finals Day, staged at Great Harwood, where they beat Cherry Tree by 43 runs.

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“At the start of the season there’s three big trophies to win, we made the final of the Ramsbottom Cup, challenged Clitheroe hard for the title and we won the Twenty20 Cup, so the boys should be proud of their efforts,” said Davidson whose sons John and William both featured for Settle at Finals Day.

Once again Pakistan pro Imran Khalid was the star of the show in the semi-finals, his match-winning 55 seeing Settle home by seven runs against holders Read.

In the other semi, Cherry Tree beat Great Harwood by seven wickets, despite a 60 from Russell Whalley.

The Settle chairman added: “We played some fantastic, high tempo cricket. We deserved this success.”

Settle’s title challenge has faltered in recent weeks, beaten by champions-elect Clitheroe a fortnight ago and then back-to-back defeats to Whalley and Read last weekend ended their hopes.

“To be in the hunt for a title is a great credit to our squad,” added the chairman.

“The bottom line is that we don’t have a big enough squad to win a title.

“Most weekends we are picking from the same 13, but this success has lifted the spirits tremendously.”

Settle meet Twenty20 final opponents Cherry Tree in league action at Preston Old Road on Saturday.

Settle are also on the road the following weekend – at Baxenden – where Davidson will bring to a close a four decade long playing career with the Yorkshire club.

“I made my first team debut for Settle at Baxenden in 1972, so it is a bit strange our last game is there,” said Davidson “I’m 56 now and it is time for the old stager to hang up the spikes.

“Hopefully the captain will put me on the team sheet for the last day, but if not I’ve enjoyed every minute of playing for Settle.”