IT looks like being a season to forget for Craven's three teams in the Ribblesdale Cricket League.

All three went down again at the weekend and have little other than pride to play for.

Settle's season started so brightly but they candidly admitted that their early form was not that of title winners and so it has proved. Now in fifth position, their sights will be set on finishing at least one place higher in order to show progress from last year.

Inconsistent Earby have all to do to avoid mid-table mediocrity but Barnoldswick, runners-up last season, are currently in the wooden spoon position which might suggest some soul-searching come September.

Earby came up against former professional Jonathan Harvey and that can only mean one thing - a lot of chasing round the field for the fielders. This time, however, Earby might feel they got off comparatively lightly as he was bowled by Paul Bairstow for 89. But that was the foundation for Baxenden to record a six wicket win as they knocked off the 188 target set by Earby.

Earby's guest professional Mohammad Ayub was to the fore with an innings of 78 but received only significant support from Matthew Nutter.

Not enough runs and an obvious lack of senior performers with the ball showed as Settle went down to defeat against Great Harwood.

Their cause was not helped when three of the top five gave their wickets away. A more responsible approach and performance was required given the lack of man power and the inclusion of three teenagers trying to make their mark.

Exempt from criticism was Tim Green who gave a glimpse of the type of batting he is capable of and Keith Hornby, who used his experience to hold the innings together. They took the score from 27 for three to 121, but once the partnership was broken it was downhill all the way as they collapsed to 131 all out.

This was never enough on a 200 track and it needed a herculean effort from the bowlers. Seventeen-year-old debutant Matthew Hutchinson made a promising debut and had Andrew Crook, the Great Harwood pro, dropped at slip in the second over. However no bowler could bowl a tight line and length and, although Paul Stafford claimed two victims in a tidy spell, Harwood comfortably achieved their target.

The lack of Ridgway, Tarbox and Davidson from the front line has hit the club hard and professional Hornby is showing a worrying lack of consistency. Doubts about his fitness are causing anxiety in some quarters and certainly he is not the bowler he was pre-injury days.

Injuries and holidays mean that 21 regular players are unavailable for the club this week-end. The Second XI is hit the most and they take to the field with three 13-year-olds.

The First XI back-up bowling line-up is more or less extinct as Hutchinson and Dalby are on holiday and Kellet, Ridgway and skipper Davidson still grounded by long term injuries, hence an opportunity will arise for the "net bowlers" who always talk a good length to see if fiction can actually become reality!

Sixteen-year-old opening bowler from Giggleswick School Alistair Canaway is given an opportunity and becomes the third brother to reach senior status this term.

At Barnoldswick, home to Read, former Australian Test player Peter Sleep had his revenge for a dramatic last ball win in the return fixture earlier in the season.

He took four for 76 as Barnoldswick could only reach 148 off their 45 overs.

It was never enough on a fine batting day and Sleep was unbeaten on 48 when Read passed the target with just two wickets down.