AN INJURY is set to rule Wharfedale centre Tom Davidson out for most of the next rugby union season.

However, that hasn't stopped the 24-year-old from playing a vital role as Settle Cricket Club chase a treble in the Houldsworth Ribblesdale League.

Sporting all-rounder Davidson suffered his injury playing for the Greens in April. He said: "It was in the last minute of the second to last game of the season at Esher in National League One.

"I went to sidestep and dislocated a knee. It went back in but I had ruptured my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), injured my PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) and got a crush fracture of my femur.

"My operation is on Tuesday, August 4, and it pretty much rules me out for the whole of the rugby season, although I hope to get back before the end."

Cricket, however, is another matter, although Davidson confessed: "I did nothing for the first four of five weeks of the season when I was in a brace.

"But because I field in the slips, can hobble and swing the bat, and cricket is played in straight lines, I have been able to play, although I am not 100 per cent. I have even been bowling my medium pacers."

Settle have certainly been prospering. They are chasing the Section A title, are in the Ramsbottom Cup final against Oswaldtwistle Immanuel at Ribblesdale Wanderers on Sunday, August 2 and are through to the Watson Ramsbottom T20 finals day on Monday, August 31.

"It is pretty much between ourselves and Clitheroe for the league," said Davidson.

Clitheroe are three points behind with a game in hand, which comes this weekend when Settle aren't playing, but the Wharfedale player said: "We have to go to Clitheroe on August 22 but we have won there on our last three or four visits."

Tom is part of a Davidson dynasty at Settle and captains the side when his 54-year-old dad Andrew isn't playing. The side also includes Tom's brothers Will, 22, Robbie, 20, and John, 17, who have all played a big part in their success.