Drought - what drought?

In conditions the south of the country would die for, the Mewies Solicitors Craven League season got off to a damp start, with less than 25 per cent of matches seeing any play.

On Saturday morning as clubs called off fixtures, there were reports of ducks, geese and seagulls floating around on grounds, while oyster catchers enjoying rich pickings!

Haworth Road’s game with Thornton survived the weather in Division One.

The Baildon Bottom side batted first and rattled up 191-8, Will Burgess top-scoring with 73 as new recruit Jonny Martin claimed 4-51.

The Booth Bridge Laners could only muster 116 in reply. The hosts' returning star Mansha Khan took 4-33.

Barrowford hustled Bradley out for 96 at Bull Holme. Craig Tempest made 47 as J Baber took 5-21. Red-rose opener Liam Roberts made 51 not out as his side strode to a comfortable eight-wicket win.

The game saw the welcome return to cricket of John Duffy, who suffered a brain haemorrhage around Christmas time.

In Division Two, the first century of the season was recorded at Glusburn, where Cononley were the visitors.

Matt Lloyd scored a superb 103 not out and put on 92 with James Tillotson (44no) as the score reached 220-3.

In reply, the visitors only managed 106, with opener Herbie Starkey doing his best to hold things together with a battling 61. Evergreen Bryan Hollis took 5-30 and Nick Williamson 3-46.

Three games survived in Division Three. Embsay II’s return to the division looked to be getting off to a successful start as they had Haworth West End 5-4 in only five overs at a windswept Penistone Moor.

However, Josh Holt (60) and Chris Shimmin (50no) had other ideas as the score reached 132-7 at the close of the innings.

The Shires Laners battled hard but finished 30 runs short as Andy Benfield, as usual bowling into the wind, took 7-27 off 19 overs. Joe Holt (28) and Neville Allen (24) were the leading scorers for the losers.

There was an exciting finish at Chatburn, where Haworth Road II were the visitors.

The Baildon Bottom side struggled to 109 with S Butt making 29 as Ben Threlfall took 7-64 off 16 overs.

As the Ribble Valley side edged closer to the winning post, wickets kept tumbling. The final one went down with three runs still needed for victory. I Ifzal bowled well to finish with 7-47 off 14 overs.

Cullingworth II’s effort to get the pitch playable went unrewarded as neighbours and visitors Denholme beat them by 94 runs.

Batting first, Denholme made 166-7, with John Greenwood making 47 and Richard Kirby 58 not out as Martin Rendell bowled through to finish with 6-50. The home side slumped to 72, with Adam Taylor claiming 5-32 and Tom Greenwood 4-10.

In Division Four, Wilsden II entertained Bingley Congs II at Windy Grove and, going first, posted 184-7 with Kristian Hargreaves top-scoring with 49 not out.

Then, despite 70 not out from opener John Hill, the Beckfoot side fell 51 runs short of their target.

Only one game took place in Division Five. Callum Gerrard made 77 as hosts Denholme II made a modest 121, with Michael Davison taking 4-28 off 11 overs.

Then Adam Fothergill (37) and Graham Fothergill (31) took Oakworth III to the target for the loss of seven wickets as Jack Harrison took 4-10.

* I wonder how many people were aware that cricket is played in Israel?

On Saturday morning, league secretary Ann Coe received a transfer form for Josh Evans from Ra’anana Cricket Club to Cullingworth Cricket Club. He joined the Israeli club in 2009.

From the Israel Cricket Association web-site, Israel is known as a land of miracles, and the survival of cricket in the Holy Land must surely rate as one of those miracles.

The odds have always been heavily stacked against the game, yet cricket has endured and even flourished, despite lacking adequate playing surfaces, equipment and financial backing.

There are 16 teams competing in three divisions and Ra’anana played in Division One. They and Tel Aviv play their league matches on Fridays to accommodate observant players.

Other transfers this week: Luke Taylor (Silsden to Cullingworth), Stuart Grimshaw (Little Marsden to Foulridge), John Lambert (Colne to Foulridge), Asad Hussain (Brighouse to Ingrow), Jake Hoyle (Keighley to Ingrow), Omar Khatab (Cullingworth to Ingrow St John’s) and Shaukat Ali (Sandy Lane to Ingrow St John’s).