PERFORMANCES in the Craven Cricket League last weekend matched the scorching temperatures, with five centuries, a massive 372 total from Denholme and, for the second successive week, a defeat for the first division leaders.

Top individual performance, although not the most spectacular, came from Haworth's Damian Rowell, who turned in the kind of display all-rounders can normally only dream of. He beat defending champions Embsay single-handed, blasting a massive 158 n.o. as Haworth totalled 259-6 and then claiming 7-59 in 17.3 overs as the Shires Lane side were put out for 168.

Most dramatic innings of the day came at Denholme, where Barnoldswick IIIs deserved some credit for fulfilling the fixture with only eight men. Unfortunately, their darkest fears were realised as the Denholme batsmen showed no mercy.

Gareth Marshall was brutal in lashing 159 in just 70 minutes, including six sixes and 24 fours, while Rob Taylor also topped the century mark in a 212 second wicket partnership. Faced with a 372-4 and three batsmen short, it was no surprise that Barnoldswick collapsed to 61 all out. Their 311-run defeat may earn a place in the record books.

Back at the top of Division One, Thornton confirmed that their win over leaders Embsay the previous week was no fluke when they brushed aside new table-toppers Pendle Forest at Booth Bridge Lane. Embsay has first knock and reached 149, thanks largely to Ayub (61) and Townsend (42), but that tally was to prove wholly inadequate when Thornton replied.

They had openers David Harrison (85n.o.) and Kevin Pollard (52n.o.) in fine fettle as they steered the side to a ten-wicket win.

The leaders' downfall opened the door for Long Lee to slip into top-spot and they took their chance with a five-wicket win over Sutton. Only Craig Thornton (56) showed much form as the visitors were dismissed for 125 and with Craig Taylor (53 n.o.) a steadying influence as wickets fell, the Keighley side moved into the lead.

Bradley were in irresistible form when they visited Carleton, coming away with a nine-wicket win after Carleton were put out for 136. Ian Bell (66 n.o.) scored half his sides runs off the bat, but when Neil Andrews (66 n.o.) and Mike Milbourn (60 n.o.) got into their stride, there was only one outcome.

Barrowford must have been more confident when they totalled 211-7 at Oakworth, Neil Hargreaves (55) leading the way, but Oakworth are starting to find their feet after a slow start and came through to win by three wickets. Once again they were endebted to Michael Scarborough (78 n.o.) and John Crossley (55).

The basement battle between Cowling and Skipton CI had a twist in the tail at Sandylands. With Keith Woodhead making 76 and Steve Mitchell 39, the visitors reached a very respectable 172-5, which looked a formidable tally when the home side were 125-6. Nick Williamson (73 n.o.) proved the man for the crisis and he steered his side to a four-wicket win.

Colin Bottomley was another centurion when his unbeaten 101 helped Division Two leaders Ingrow St John's to 241-4 against lowly Keighley Tech, who were dismissed for 154.

Haworth West End enjoyed having the sun on their backs at Chatburn, Duncan Tetley (64 n.o.) and Tristan Wallhead (51 n.o.) helping them to 205-2. Jason Bilbrough claimed 6-43 when the home side batted, but they were still battling at 118-7 at the close.

Foulridge had a five-wicket win over Gargrave, while Jimmy Nelson's recorded their first victory of the season at home to Glusburn. This proved to be an Iqbal/Stafford Show, the pair claiming 4-25 and 3-37 respectively when Glusburn reached 146 and then 44 n.o. and 53 n.o. to secure a four-wicket win.

Cononley had a chance to avenge a Cup defeat against Airedale, but the form line of the previous week held good. Trevor Cox (58) helped Airedale to 170 and a 4-13 show from Alan Hayes did the damage as Cononley were put out for 112.

Top bowling figures of the day fell to Paul Barwick, who claimed 5-3 in 4.5 overs as leaders Embsay shot Haworth out for 77, Brian Hodgson (44 n.o.) leading his side to an eight-wicket success, while Thornton claimed second place from Pendle Forest, whom they trounced by nine wickets.

Mick Hall (5-46) and Chris Simpson (53) were key men in Bradley's five-wicket win over Chatburn, while Steve Powell was another century maker when he hit 109 n.o. in Oakworth's 255-5 at Barrowford, where the home side replied with 171-6.

Sutton's Andy Elrick produced the best over of the day when he claimed five wickets in six balls in a 6-12 return which saw Long Lee seconds put out for 91. The Keighley bowlers had the last laugh, however, when Paul Swindlehurst (5-7) and John Tetley (5-19) sent Sutton crashing to 29 all out.

Nigel Carr (74) and Pete Mason (50) were both on song as Skipton C.I. reached 209-8 at Glusburn, but veteran Phil Taylor (75) was the match winner as the home side got home by two wickets with two balls to spare.

Latest placings: Division One: Long Lee 17; Pendle Forest 16, Thornton 16, Embsay 15, Bradley 14, Haworth 14, Oakworth 14, Carleton 11, Sutton 9, Skipton CI 9, Barrowford 8, Cowling 2.

Division Two: Ingrow St Johns 21, Denholme 27. Haworth WE 17, Glusburn 14, Foulridge 14, Chatburn 12, Cononley 12, Barnoldswick III 11, Gargrave 11, Airedale 9, Jimmy Nelsons 6, Keighley Tech 3.

Division Three: Embsey 23, Pendle Forest 17, Thornton 17, Barrowford 14, Glusburn 14, Bradley 12, Long Lee 12, Sutton 10, Haworth 9, Oakworth 8, Skipton CI 6, Chatburn 5.

Division Four: Denholme 18, Pendle Forest III 17, Cowling 15, Foulridge 14, Garleton 12, Haworth WE 11, Airedale 9, Cononley 8, Gargrave 7, Ingrow St Johns 5, Keighley Tech 4.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.