SETTLE posted their biggest total when they reached 269 against Barrow in 1909, but the Veka Ribblesdale League side put that tally at risk on Saturday with an outstanding display at home to Blackburn Northern.

The Marshfield men reached 244-5 on Saturday and in the process their professional Robin Morris treated watchers to a magnificent display of batting.

Even the oldest stalwarts on the boundary could not attest to whether his innings was the best seen since cricket was first played at Marshfield in the 1870s, but even those with very long memories were hard-pressed to recall a better performance.

After 29 overs Settle were slightly under the cosh at 102-3, but Morris then decided that with able support from Mark Verden, it was time to take the game to Blackburn.

A series of fearful blows quite simply tore the Northern attack apart and the scoreboard raced to 222 in the next 10 overs.

No one in living memory has ever witnessed the sight of a ball clearing the huge Oak Tree at the top of the ground. Not only did Morris clear it, but he also cleared the railway line, landing in the Victoria Hall Car Park, only 50 metres from the Market Place in Settle.

His 132, together with a supporting 64 from Verden, produced a 175-run partnership, Morris lashing 132 off 128 balls and including 10 fours and seven sixes in his onslaught.

With Blackburn totally drained of energy and enthusiasm they decided early on that the only good thing about the game was to try to deny Settle maximum points.

Survival and the lack of desire to score runs frustrated all playing and watching, but eventually the visitors were weedled out for 87.