RELEGATED Bradley lost by one wicket in a tense finish at home to Bradford & Bingley III in Craven League Division Three.

James Heseltine (25) top scored as the Matthew Lane side made 111 before the Wagon Lane side reached their target in the 41st over.

One of the favourites to bounce back to Division Two, Thornton, encountered few problems in their game at home to Bingley Congs II.

Who else but Kev Pollard (55) led the Boothbridge Laners to 171-4, with Tom Cleaver chipping in with 32no. The visitors were dismissed for 118 with Matthew Bran scoring 36 as Mark Laycock took 3-21.

Embsay II made a creditable 151-6 on their visit to Cononley with Nev Allan making 47 and George Maloney 35. The homesters reached their target for the loss of four wickets in the 39th over. Scott Brook made 31 before Joel Grainger (45no) saw them to the winning post.

Eldwick & Gilstead recovered from 106-8 to close on 153 at Wagon Lane. Chris Child made 44 and as M Qadeer and John Pinkerton took three wickets apiece. Nine-man visitors Riddlesden II managed 126-8 in reply with Pinkerton scoring 67 and Jordan Bayliss taking 4-17.

Barrowford II made 185 on their travels to Skipton CI but the Sandylanders raced to a three-wicket victory in the 43rd over led by Martin Chisnall (71) and Ian Henderson (33).

Cowling II opened their season with a fine win in Division Four at The Coliseum over Chatburn II. The home side posted 159-6 with Ajmal Choudhry making 53 and evergreen John Cleaver 29. The Ribble Valley side crumpled to 85 all out.

Down at Crossflatts II, Hepworth & Idle II recovered from 60-7 to reach 130 as Will McLaughlan and new recruit Jodi Town-Jones took three wickets apiece. Crossflatts II were always second best as they closed on 113.

Up in Bronte Land veteran Trevor Cox (55) and Stuart MacLennan (39) helped Airedale II to 168-8. Haworth II romped home by six wickets thanks to Dan Peel (48no) and Dale Walsh (34).

Ten-man Skipton CI II clung on for a narrow 11-run victory at Denholme II. Going first, the Sandylanders made 117-9 with Jon Sharpe and David Suter jnr both making 31. Despite a battling 56 from Michael Dennison the home side were undone by Vaqas Nawaj with 5-40.

Oakworth III’s move to play at Haworth WE didn’t work for them first time out. They could only muster 57 in reply to visitors Cononley II.

Another team grateful for extras was Sutton II. They contributed 31 to go with Dan Hanson’s 53 as seasoned campaigner Ray Tunnacliffe took 4-44. Visitors Foulridge II were hustled out for 60 in 17.5 overs with Hanson taking 5-12 and Justin Holdsworth 4-40.

Ten-man Bradley II posted 197-9 on their travels to Gargrave II. Chris Kimberley made 79, Harry McGowan 38 and Harry McEnearney 34. Then the home side, who only had nine men, collapsed to 37 all out.

Ten-man Glusburn II were indebted to a battling 45no from Paul McCullough to post 102-8 as Jonny Teale 4-17 and Yvonne Baines 4-18 took them apart. Bingley Congs III were staring defeat in the face before Sam Waterhouse 25no and Graeme Love 20 helped them stagger over the line. Rummy Smith 3-20 and Alan Coney 3-15 were the best bowlers.

Wilsden II conceded to Ingrow II.

Finally, new boys on the block, Silsden travelled to Long Lee II and came away with the points, winning by nine wickets. The Golden Acre side only had nine men and were restricted to 71 thanks to Kieran Lawrence (6-19). Jack Lister made 33no as the visitors galloped home in just 9.4 overs.