# Settle Climbs to Third in Northern Premier as Settle CC and Skipton CI Make Waves in Regional Cricket

**By Arjun Mehta**  \nPublished August 6, 2026  \nUpdated August 6, 2026

> From Gautam Waghela's dashing century at Stanley Park to Skipton CI's astonishing survival victory, regional cricket across the leagues delivered historic milestones and unforgettable collapses.

When regional club cricket delivers drama, it rarely does so by halves. Across recent fixtures in the Northern Premier and the Timothy Taylor’s Craven League, milestones that had gathered dust for years were obliterated in a single afternoon. From a historic high-water mark at Stanley Park to an astonishing collapse that baffled even the victors, local scorebooks underwent a thorough rewrite.

## Waghela’s Masterclass Lifts Settle to Third

On Lancashire’s out ground at Stanley Park, Settle 1st XI carved out a landmark victory against Blackpool, sealing their fourth consecutive win and vaulting the club to third place in the Northern Premier—their highest-ever ECB premier league position. Asked to bat first, Settle established a commanding foundation through Will Davidson, who contributed 43, and Zane Nirodi, who added 40.

That platform unlocked the innings for overseas amateur Gautam Waghela. Battering nine boundaries and three maximums, Waghela compiled an unbeaten 104 from just 94 balls, operating at over a run a ball. Batting through half the innings with support from John Davidson's 27, Waghela propelled Settle to 267-7, representing the team’s highest score in the competition since joining the league the previous year.

Waghela's impact extended immediately into the field, where he claimed the opening wicket of Kasim Munir. Yet it was Eddy Read who broke the back of the Blackpool chase. Returning with a vengeance following a long recovery from surgery, Read tore through the home lineup with 4-78 across 15 disciplined overs, complemented by captain Amar Ullah's tight 3-17 from 13 overs. Although Blackpool scrambled to 226-9—denying Settle full bowling points—the victory leaves the squad primed for a high-stakes trip to Garstang in pursuit of second place.

## Skipton CI Snaps Six-Match Skid via Gargrave Collapse

While Settle soared in the premier ranks, drama of a entirely different statistical flavour unfolded in the Timothy Taylor’s Craven League. Skipton CI terminated a punishing six-match losing streak against Gargrave II in a fixture that will be discussed in clubhouses for years.

Defending a modest total of 81 after being bowled out themselves, Skipton CI looked down and out during the tea interval. CI secretary Paul Mason noted We were down a little bit at the tea interval, but we needed that win after losing so many matches.

What followed was an extraordinary implosion. Promoted last season, Gargrave II reached 18-2 in reply before astonishingly losing their final eight wickets for zero runs, handing CI a 63-run victory. Home keeper Dominic Ferneyhough, who top-scored with nine before being caught, offered a frank assessment of the carnage: There were one or two harsh words said afterwards in the changing room, which I cannot repeat, but basically CI just bowled straight. Four of our batters were lbw and five were bowled... All you can do is laugh about it and say that it was a freak.

Azhar Iqbal and Tanveer Hussain orchestrated the demolition for the visitors, returning remarkable figures of 6-4 and 4-14 respectively. The unexpected points elevated CI to 48 points, hoisting them clear of the relegation zone on average runs per wicket.

## Craven League Weekend Roundup

The wider Craven League landscape featured several other notable results:

- **Bradley:** Celebrated their first league win of the campaign by dispatching Bowling Baptist by seven wickets.

- **Long Lee & Cononley:** League leaders Long Lee defended 121 by bowling out Cononley for 102.

- **Silsden:** Silsden's first XI topped Cowling by seven wickets, though Silsden II fell short.

- **Airedale:** Secured a derby triumph over Riddlesden, powered by a commanding third-wicket partnership of 105 between Mathew Cox and Raja Mohammed Adna.

- **Gargrave 1st XI:** Maintained a five-point cushion at the summit of the table following a convincing win away at Sutton.

- **Division Four:** Denholme II celebrated a high-scoring individual feat as Kunal Sundriyal struck 104 in their victory against Long Lee II.

## Sources

- [Telegraph & Argus](http://mypresstoday.com/gb/en/post/2822/350341753/cricket-club-s-first-team-ends-losing-run-with-highest-individual-total-in-eight-years.html) — original
- [keighleynews.co.uk](https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/sport/26219395.skipton-ci-secure-shock-victory-bizarre-gargrave-collapse/) — original
- [cravenherald.co.uk](https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/sport/sport_cricket/northern-premier-league/25332164.inspired-century-helps-settle-cc-historic-victory/) — original