AFTER the rain of last Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, it seemed a good bet that all of the matches in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League would be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

However, not only did play start in three matches, but two of them reached a conclusion.

Gargrave were only a point ahead of second-placed Cononley in Division Three, but not only stretched that to four points by defeating Thornton-in-Craven but also confirmed themselves as champions.

Thornton batted first at Skipton Road and could only make 59 in 39.2 overs, with opener Kev Pollard (17) and No 4 and wicket-keeper Tom Cleaver (15) being the only two batsmen in double figures as Will Smith claimed 6-14 off 7.2 overs, backed up by fellow opening bowler Joe Wood, who claimed 2-16 in 12 overs.

Smith then made 23 not out and John Beckwith 19 as the home side charged home by eight wickets in 13.3 overs.

Play also started at Wagon Lane where Bradford & Bingley III, who were an outside bet for promotion, had Embsay II 25-3 after 12.3 overs when play was abandoned, with Matthew Doidge taking 2-10.

Relegation is between Sandy Lane II and Riddlesden II.

Division Four B champions Silsden were the only other hosts to play, facing eight-man Gargrave II, who could only make 77, and nearly all of those were scored by Ben Howlett (46no) and Rob Storr (25) as Max Worsencroft took 3-29.

The hosts were 40-4 before Tom Berry (25no) and Hugh Sugden (17no) took them to the winning post by six wickets as Howlett claimed 2-30.

Glusburn II are the other side to be promoted.

In Division One, leaders Ingrow St John’s were without a game, but with no play possible in any game in the division, they are virtually certain of becoming champions with only this weekend’s fixture at home to Haworth Road Meths to go.

On paper, two sides could have overtaken them – Embsay and Haworth Road.

The former can still end up on the same points if they win their last match at Haworth and the Saints lose theirs, but they have an inferior run rate.

Meths are at Street Lane on Saturday and a win would put them one point behind the prospective champions.

At the other end of the table, where only one side goes down because of Riddlesden’s demise, it has already been confirmed that that team is Hepworth & Idle.

In Division Two, where again there was no play, promotion has been confirmed for Wilsden and Ingrow.

The latter go up because Haworth Road Meths II, who are the champions, can’t be promoted.

Oakworth II are the only team going down.

Meanwhile, in Division Four A, promotion has been confirmed for champions Sutton II and Crossflatts II.