CONTROVERSY is a regular companion of the JP Mewies Craven & District Cricket League and last weekend's rain-hit programme produced further headaches for the League Executive.

Source of the problem was the game at Barrowford, where the home side covered their pitch to ensure that a game went ahead, but visitors Pendle Forest decided that there was a serious risk of injury and declined to play.

The home side and the umpires took the view that a start should be made, but when the ramifications of a possible injury to a Forest player who was forced to play were considered, the officials decided that it would be prudent not to go ahead.

Barrowford have predictably claimed the moral high ground and claimed the points, leaving the league's Executive Committee to decide whether the Fence side were out of order in taking their bats home.

Embsay are still at the top after five matches and five wins, although their most recent success, a two-wicket win over Long Lee at Shires Lane on Saturday was a nervous affair.

Perhaps if the visitors had been able to field a full complement they might just have pulled off the victory, although even for ten men, their 93 total was not so impressive. Rob Cowley took 3-34 and Tom Hanson 3-24. Opener Duncan Bullough was the rock of the home side's innings. He made 45no as his side reached their target in the next to last over, Matthew Taylor finishing with 4-26.

Oakworth move into third place after defeating Cowling in a match reduced to 40 overs per side.