After weeks of summer-like weather the start of the cricket season worked like a rain dance in the Craven League.

All games started but many were interrupted by rain, and two games in the first division were abandoned.

Champions Embsay made a steady start at Skipton CI. They lost a couple of quick wickets before Duncan Bullough (40) and David Robinson took them to 96-3. Robinson perished at 106 before some tail wagging helped them to 169-9. Nick Williamson took 5-61 and his brother Shaun 4-57.

In reply CI set off well, with Simon Bates clattering 42 before being fourth out with the score on 68. The Williamson brothers were coasting along when rain intervened with the score on 136-4. On the resumption both were dismissed, Nick for 49, and the innings crumbled to 148 all out. John Metcalfe finished with 5-56 and Stephen Speak 4-57.

Last season's runners up, Oakworth, were away at Cullingworth and made 164 batting first. New skipper John Crossley led the way with 64. The home side were on 132-7 when play was halted with just four overs to go. Steve Welch made 36 and T Richardson 32no.

Barrowford made a scintillating start as they crushed visitors Haworth by 10 wickets. The Bront side batted first and were dismissed for 126, with Damian Rowell top scoring on 47 as John Hargreaves claimed five wickets. Ajmal Choudry (74no) and Liam Roberts (45no) saw the home side to victory.

Bradley were restricted to 148-5 by Thornton. Neil Robinson made 38 and A Smithson 34 as Brian Laycock took 4-40. The West Craven side had made 88-5 when stumps were drawn.

Newcomers to the division Denholme entertained Cowling and went down by six wickets. They posted 164 with A Quirie and S Cummings making 40 each. Keith Woodhead was the most successful bowler with 4-27 and followed up with 45 to go with Keder Korde's 80no.

Second Division champions Haworth WE went down by seven wickets at home to Long Lee. The home side made 132-8 with George Stubley scoring 31 and Andy Benson 30. Long Lee skipper Chris Taylor plundered 79no as they reached their target.

The battle of the two relegated sides, in division two, went the way of Foulridge at Pendle Forest. The Fence side were dismissed for 88 with Tom Stephenson taking 7-36. The Noyna club cantered to a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

Cononley's bowlers put them on the road to an impressive nine-wicket win at home to Gargrave. The visitors were dismissed for 83, with Andy Town claiming 6-39 and Steve Filkin (ex-Glusburn) 4-40. Tom Palin made 50 as the homesters romped home.

Sutton's Paul Williams scored 107no off Carleton's attack at Ramper Park. His side posted 172-8 as Jonathan Brewin took 5-53. Their bowlers then put the home team to the sword and shot them out for a paltry 36, Darren Wild (6-13) and Justin Holdsworth (3-15) doing the damage.

Glusburn were just 17 runs too strong for home side Chatburn, despite 51 from Steve Procter for the losers.

Airedale got the better of visitors J Nelson's and won by seven wickets. The Red Rose side made 161 in their innings. The Keighley side lost three wickets reaching their target, with Phil Loftus scoring 69no and N Ahad 45.

There was a nail-biter at Ingrow St John's, where Ingrow were the visitors. The Morton side went first and were restricted to 101 as I Roberts claimed 9-29. The Keighley side were made to sweat before getting home by one wicket, Anthony Haigh doing his best to nick the points by taking 7-34.

Embsay II got off to a fine start in defence of their title at home to Skipton CI, who paid the penalty for dropped catches. They dropped Jason Waddington three times as he scored 87 to go with David Barrett's 39no and Simon Holt's 34, which helped the score to 236-7. The Sandylands side were hustled out for 61, with Ian Robson taking 5-20 and Nas Hussein 4-9.

Newcomers to the division Ingrow St John's got their campaign off to a winning start by beating Cowling by 38 runs.

Haworth made a creditable 155-8 at home to Barrowford. However, the Red Rose side galloped home for the loss of only two wickets. Kevin Lyons made 82no and Nigel Hargreaves 51no. Craig Ogden managed to get the Bront club's only two wickets of the day.

Long Lee must have been fancying their chances at home to Pendle Forest. Batting first they made a modest 137, with skipper Jan Haider scoring 34 as Andy Hakin took 5-23. The Fence side were struggling at 82-7 when Paul Hakin joined his son and they took their side to a three-wicket win.

Oakworth saw off Cullingworth by eight wickets at Cure Hill. Chris White took 4-22 and ex-Long Lee man Paul McCullough made 44no for the winners.

Airedale's endured a tough baptism at Thornton. They were dismissed for 98 with seasoned campaigner Malc Holt taking 7-42 off 21 overs. Johnny Wilman made 34 as the Booth Bridge Laners won by seven wickets.

Relegated Bradley started life in the fourth division with a good win against Pendle Forest III. Andrew Curtis scored a fine 112 as the visitors piled up 217-4. The Fence side replied with a creditable 158-4 built around veteran David Hall, who scored 80no.

Foulridge entertained Keighley Tech and made a solid 172-9, with Warren Whitaker 50no and Steve Kegg 42. The Keighley side were not deterred and sauntered to a five wicket win. A Winterbottom scored 43 while I Copsey and C Wilkins made 39 each.

Gargrave crashed by nine wickets at home to Cononley, and Chatburn were 34 runs too strong for Glusburn.

Denholme had the two stars on their travels to Ingrow. Lee Swidrick took 6-62 and Paul Greenwood made a fine 100no as they won by six wickets.

Finally, 10-man Long Lee III beat 10 man Sutton by 38 runs. Twelve-year-old Mark Portlock with 34 and 3-3 was the star of the show for Long Lee. Ben Airey (5-39) and Daniel French (39) were the best for the losers.