Cricket: Craven League

On a weekend when the weather turned up the heat the leaders of top three divisions were beaten and Oakworth pulled their victory out of the fire.

They were struggling at 80-6, when Chris White joined Graham Rankin and the pair put on an undefeated 92 to raise the score to 172-6. Rankin made 57no and White 45no as Ronnie Misra claimed 4-64. The Bull Holme side were in a similar position, 87-6, however despite the best efforts of Farooq Shehzad, 43no, they were unable to get further than 157 - losing by 15 runs. Rankin 4-27 and Jason Bilbrough 4-67 assisted by six catches by keeper Tim Walsh did the damage for the winners.

The gap at the top is down to a point after Embsay saw off the challenge of Cullingworth at Shires Lane. The homesters built on an opening partnership of 88 by Simon Bailey, 45, and James Tiffany, 42, to amass 203-7. John Hillary top scoring with 51 as Steve Welch finished with 3-49. The visitors replied with 162 with Gareth Marshall making 26 as Stephen Speak took 5-59 and Nick Williamson 3-34.

Bingley Congs held on to third spot after a comfortable seven-wicket win at home to Bradley. The South Craveners managed 145-8 with a couple of the bowlers, James Heseltine with 43 and Tim Rudden with 33, doing most of the damage with the bat as Ian Copping took 6-47. The latter followed this with 41no, to go with Andy Copping's 38, to help the Beckfoot side to the points.

Glusburn move up a place to fourth after their visit to Foulridge. Matthew Lutz 37 and Tom Stephenson 31 were the main contributors to the Noyna side's 149-9, as Kevin Hird 5-46 and Simon Hagerty 3-49 did the damage with the ball. The visitors reached their target for the loss of five wickets in the 32nd over, with Graham Harrison making 60no.

It was a grim day in Bronte land as both sides lost. Haworth entertained Thornton and struggled to 147 against some excellent bowling by Mark Paxton 4-57 and Richard Craddock 3-42. Only Jamie Rowell 39 offering much resistance. In reply the visitors stormed home by seven wickets with Mark Procter 65no and Jason Lockley 38 doing the damage.

Meanwhile up the hill Haworth WE were enjoying one of their better days with the bat as they made 180-7, with Les Jones scoring 63. However visitors Cowling were in sparkling form as the crashed 184-2, with Gareth Frankland scoring 56 and Ben Thurston 49.

Division Two leaders Denholme had a disastrous time at Ingrow. They were knocked over for a paltry 68 with opener and skipper David Wear making 27 as Dale Hoyle bowled superbly to finish with 8-42. The Keighley side romped home by seven wickets in the 22nd over with Wayne Exley making 26no.

Ingrow take over top spot, two points clear of Haworth Road, who also lost, by eight wickets at Pendle Forest.

Airedale are fourth after a terrific 10-wicket victory at Sutton. Sixteen-year-old Paul Quinlan took 5-23 and I Zaman scored 83no for the Keighley side.

Sandy Lane are also taking closer order after they saw off visitors Cononley by seven wickets. Skipper Mark Oldfield scored 63 as the homesters romped home.

Skipton CI have pulled clear of the relegation spots, on run rate, after a six-wicket win over Chatburn at Sandylands. The Ribble Valley side made 146-8. Skipton replied with 147-4 with Ian Burke making 51no and John Drake 33no.

Crossflatts set off like a train, scoring over a hundred in quick time against visitors Long Lee. However they were pegged back and closed on 197-8 with Mark Jones making 77 and Nigel Brett 62no. The Keighley side made a creditable reply of 176.

Joint Division Three leaders, Embsay II and Ingrow St John's both came unstuck.

The Shires Laners were at Oakworth II and were punished to the tune of 226-7 with Steve Hartley scoring 77 and Chris Mooney 52. The visitors replied with 176 of which Zufar Iqbal made 54 as Paul McCullough took 5-49 and Richard Ellis 4-39. Oakworth II take over the top slot.

The Saints slumped to a second successive defeat, this time at the hands of bottom side Pendle Forest at Street Lane. The Fence side were restricted to 106 with extras easily being the highest scorer with 23 as P Welsh took 5-32 and A Raza 3-27. In the reply Welsh made 24 and John Green 22 as the Saints collapsed to 95 all out. Brian Snowden finished with 4-7 off eight overs whilst Edward Snowden chipped in with 4-39.

Thornton II moved into second spot after a 115-run hammering of Jimmy Nelson's at Booth Bridge Lane. Veteran Tim Gates made a super 89 to lead the homesters to 237-9 in their overs with Andy Bowker chipping in with 34. Marc Laycock then claimed 6-49 and another veteran, Jeff Tipler, 3-24 to see the Red Rose side back to the hut for 122.

S Wright made 86 as Wilsden rattled up 201-8 at home to Barrowford II as Nigel Jones took 5-48. The Lancashire team were staring defeat in the face at 120-9 but No 11, P Lee, had other ideas. He blasted 52 in a last wicket partnership 64 with Jones, before he was bowled for 52, with the winning margin being just 17 runs.

Haworth Road II entertained Ingrow St John's II and won by seven wickets. G Ahmed 4-16, R Forest 4-56 and Stan Kaznowski 41 were the stars for the winners.

Riddlesden were 41 runs too strong for visitors Gargrave.

There was a run feast in Division Four on a batter's paradise at Glusburn. Going first visitors Haworth plundered 294-2 with Andy Parker smashing 116no, Peter Gower adding 97no and Adam Balderstone 57. Undeterred back roared the home side to pass their target for the loss of only four wickets. Bryan Hollis scored 96no and K Hodkinson 73 as numerous balls were lost over the boundaries.

Glusburn now enjoy an eight-point lead over Haworth, who are joined by Crossflatts II, Carleton and Keighley TC on the same number of points.

Crossflatts II suffered a seven-wicket defeat at Cowling II. Batting first they could only manage 119. Steve Dalby 42no and Mark Batty 37 guided the South Craveners to victory.

Ten-man Carleton walloped 194-9 at home to Bingley Congs II who were knocked over for 92 in reply. Phil Binner, 46, Nev Allen 42 and Martyn Windle 4-19 did the business for the Ramper Park side.

Down the valley at Bradley II, Keighley TC raced to an eight-wicket victory. After Dean Woolley took 8-35 to dismiss the homesters for 80, Chris Brookes made 41no of the winning reply.

Skipton CI II journeyed to Airedale and took the points by the narrow margin of seven runs. Evergreen Mel Mason scored 57 of CI's 150 as J Perry claimed 5-31. The latter then hit 42 as John Stuttard took 4-27

Long Lee II drop into the second relegation spot after going down by three wickets at home to Wilsden II. K Wilmot took 5-52, as the homesters were restricted to 118. Then M Beckett top scored with 32 as the visitors took the spoils.

Division Five leaders Cononley II were in good form at home to Foulridge II. They knocked the Noyna side over for 50 and galloped home by seven wickets. Tim Holloway taking 6-20 for the winners.

Second placed Sutton II were in a mean mood at Gargrave II. After setting a target of 126-9 they shot the home side out for a miserable 47. David Holdsworth was in a miserly mood conceding just nine runs as he claimed six wickets in 10 overs.

Cullingworth II who had a free week are third, a point behind Sutton II.

Next come Denholme II who smashed 236-4 off visitors Sandy Lane II's attack. Richard Taylor top scored with 80 followed closely by Martin Armitage who made 71. The Laners reply never got to grips with the task and they were ousted for 123 with James Wilkinson taking 5-38.

Riddlesden II went down by three wickets at Chatburn II and finally Ingrow II's Tony Crook made 87 of his side's 219-7 at Pendle Forest III. This was 145 too many for the homesters with T Hodgson claiming 7-32.

n The outstanding third round Cowling Cup tie was completed on Sunday with Barrowford reaching the semi-finals, after beating Glusburn by seven wickets.

The visitors were restricted to 126-9 with Phil Shackleton scoring 43 as John Cant claimed 5-12. The homesters plan to see off in-form opening bowlers, Bryan Hollis and Rummy Smith worked a treat. At the end of 24 overs the score was 40-1. Ten overs later the game was over thanks to S Hewitt who blasted 83no.

n The venues for the Wynn Cup semi finals have been decided. Oakworth will play Glusburn at Haworth Road and Barrowford and Cullingworth will lock horns at Carleton on Sunday (July 17).