A SUPERB bowling performance by Tremaine Dowrich helped Settle see off Lostock in the North West League Senior Premiership.

The Barbadian left-arm spinner returned 6-18 from nine overs against the visiting Bolton outfit in a match that started uncertainly for the hosts.

Settle had been put in and were promptly two down with six on the board in damp and blustery conditions. Pro Ashen Silva then maintained his great form to provide the backbone of the innings, hitting 67 from 105 balls as Dowrich added 18 runs. His side were in trouble again at 73-7, but a lively 78-run partnership with Tom Davidson (40) ensured a defendable total of 160 from the reduced 40 overs.

However, the visitors got off to a comfortable start until Eddy Read was brought on to clean bowl the opening skipper James Evans and claim 2-12 from five tight overs. Silva (2-21) was steady at the other end, but the procession really started when Dowrich bowled Lostock’s prolific pro Akbar Ul Rehman for the top score of 25. The remaining batsmen had no answer to his sharp turn and were either bowled or perished by holing out to the deep, crashing out for 99 with seven overs unused.

At Farnworth Social on Sunday, Settle 2nds bowed out of the revamped Ramsbottom Cup. The hosts put on 202 in their 40 overs, but not before Harvey Green at third change took 3-37. Dan Strickland posted 36 in the reply but Settle struggled to keep up with the run rate. John Tarbox in at seven never gave up hope and went down fighting with 42 from 47 balls, but his side lost by 47 runs. They entertain Conference North leaders Barrowford on Saturday

Settle first team are half-way down the senior table but should have every confidence on Saturday travelling to Kearsley who are just a couple of points above them.

But the big match of the season will be Sunday’s Hamer Cup quarter-final home clash when visitors Little Lever, unbeaten in the league, take on last season’s Ribblesdale League champions.