Several issues were settled on Saturday in the Craven Cricket League with Gargrave and Cononley being now relegated from the First Division and Skipton Church Institute and Long Lee going down from the the Third Division.

The top two in the First Division were again in sparkling form and it looks as though the contest will go to the final match.

Leaders Embsay entertained Cowling who won the toss and elected to bat, and on a lowish wicket the visitors had four batsmen into the 20s but none were able to progress further against some tight bowling. Keith Woodhead made 27 and Martyn Dalby 23 as the side made 131-9, Stephen Speak taking 5-51 in 23 overs. In reply David Robinson and Chris Davies, fresh from their 138 opening stand last week, opened with 75 before the former went for 45 in the 20th over. Davies carried on to 63 not out as the winning post was reached without further loss.

Second-placed Oakworth entertained third-placed Haworth and put the Bronte side firmly in their place. Batting first the Cure Hill side blasted a superb 256-4, Michael Scarborough leading the way with 77 assisted by John Crossley, 50, Steve Hartley, 45 not out, and Steve Lilley, 42. The visitors started brightly enough and put on 47 for the first wicket. Then Graham Rankin took over and in 18 overs claimed 7-58 to see them back in the hut for 132 and defeated by a massive 124 runs.

Carleton continue in fourth place after inflicting a six-wicket defeat on Cononley at the Coulthurst ground. The home side batted first and were dismissed for 115, of which Mark Iveson made 49 as Iain Bell took 4-28. The villagers' reply revolved around Martyn Windle who made 65 not out. This defeat confirms relegation for Cononley who can finish level with Cowling on points but cannot match their number of games won, which is the first criterion for deciding positions.

Foulridge move up to fifth after seeing off Bradley by just nine runs. Playing at home the Noyna side made 152, John Lambert top scoring with 35 as John Williamson took 6-51 and James Heseltine 4-49. In the reply Martin Banks made 34, Mick Riddiough 32 and Paul Wilkinson 27 all to no avail.

There was a stark contrast in the red rose side's bowling. M Nawaz bowled 22 overs and took 5-32 while Lambert bowled the same number of overs and finished with 3-104!

Upper Wharfedale bounced back from their humiliating 28 all out last week to blast 256-4 against Gargrave at Wood Lane. The Dalesmen had Paul Drinkall, 79 not out, Alex Howarth, 65, and John Pearson, 60, to thank for their total. The visitors ended up 132 short of their target, Rod Moon top scoring with 33 and James Yeadon taking 3-36.

Paul Hardaker top scored with 41 as Sutton made a creditable 161-9 at home to Pendle Forest. John Hargreaves took 4-28. In the Fence side's reply it looked as though there was going to be another 10-wicket feat for the homesters with Jimmy McCormack taking the first seven wickets to fall. But sadly for him that was where the fun stopped as the other wickets went elsewhere and he finished with 7-30. Tim Stanley made 28 as the visitors made 102-8.

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