TOM Davidson is targeting the treble for Settle, but admits the defence of their Ribblesdale League title remains the top priority.

And he feels a dramatic one-wicket win over Ribblesdale Wanderers last weekend proves they have got the bottle for the challenge.

Settle were in a perilous position when the penultimate wicket fell on 119, chasing 136, but Josh Mullinder combined with opener Jack Harrison to get the runs required for maximum points and the win.

And Davidson feels the result will give them added confidence going into this weekend’s league game at Euxton.

“It was very pleasing to get the win. It meant a lot to the lads because we were staring down the barrel of our first defeat,” said the skipper.

“Sadrian Ward bowled really well and tight. But the more the pitch dried out the worse it got to bat on.

“Me and Jack (Harrison) put on 50-odd, but it was tough.

“It’s games like Saturday that win you league titles. It’s not just winning, it’s getting bonus point because we managed to bowl them out.

“We did it quite a few times last year and it’s good to start the season off like that again.”

He added: “We want to keep it going as long as we can, although it will be a tough game at Euxton.

“We know Aneeq Hassan as he played for us four or five years ago.”

Hassan had two seasons with Settle, scoring over 1,500 runs in that time, top scoring with 122, and Davidson added: “He can bat, and when we played them in the cup they looked a decent outfit. But if we perform as well as we know we can we should get the win. We’ve got a better side out than we did against them last time.

“We’ve got about three lads missing but we should still be strong.

“We’re aiming for the treble. That’s a realistic possibility.

“That’s what all the lads want to do, but the league’s the main thing.”

Settle head to Euxton have made a winning start to the 2018 campaign, and the longer it goes on the better for Davidson. For the 27-year-old, who also plays rugby union, has a personal reason to want the title wrapped up as quickly as possible.

“I missed half of last season due to working in Latvia and Russia.

“I’m hoping to be involved all season, although I’ve just signed as player coach for Preston Grasshoppers so a lot depends on what they want me to do,” he explained.

“Hopefully we’ll get the league won before other commitments take over.

“It will be full on because I’ll be training Tuesday and Thursday and playing cricket all weekend.

“My body’s in bits, I’m not going to lie.”

While rugby is the more physically demanding sport, Davidson says he suffers more after a day in the field.

“I feel it worse after cricket, especially after three games last weekend,” he said.

“I’m only 27, I’ve got about three more years of it, trying to play both, I think.”

In tomorrow’s other Ribblesdale League games, bottom club Earby are looking for their first win, at home to Barnoldswick, second placed Cherry Tree host Read, Brinscall entertain Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Feniscowles host Baxenden, Whalley are at Ribblesdale Wanderers and Salesbury are at home to Padiham.