Welch is key man to secure top spot

10:48am Tuesday 16th September 2008

Cullingworth won a three-horse race for the Division One title as the final day of the Craven & District League was again badly affected by the weather.

Where play did take place, more often than not there were promotion or relegation issues involved and Cullingworth were able to retain the major crown to go with the Wynn Cup.

Opponents Oakworth have a good record at Roydwood Terrace and restricted the hosts to 159, with Jason Bilbrough and Ian Jackson claiming three wickets apiece.

But Cullingworth were inspired by the bowling of Chris Welch, whose return of four for nine dismissed the Cure Hill side for 124.

Crossflatts, who had been second, were thwarted at Barrowford where no play was possible.

That meant they dropped to third as Bradley took the runners-up spot thanks to a ten-wicket romp against Thornton.

Skipper James Heseltine (6-21) and Matty Simpson (4-28) did the damage as Thornton laboured to 61 all out, with Neil Andrews (32no) and Chris Capstick (31no) then having few problems reaching the target.

All the teams involved in the relegation battle were unable to decide the outcome on the field, so Bingley Congs accompany Barrowford into Division Two.

It was already known that Haworth Road and Haworth would replace the demoted sides in the top-flight, just as it was known Denholme and Airedale would drop into Division Three.

The only game played in Division Two was at Wilsden, where Long Lee edged to a one-wicket victory.

Tom Peirson proved to be the key man, taking six for 52 to dismiss the hosts for 161 before his top score of 46 helped Long Lee sneak home.

The scrap to see which side accompanied Glusburn II in gaining promotion from Division Three saw both protagonists, Skipton CI and Cowling II, in action.

And it was the former side who secured the coveted place after beating neighbours Carleton by eight wickets after the Ramper Park side had been restricted to 86-8.

Cowling had champions Glusburn to face and although they won by 88 runs it left them two points adrift of Skipton in third place.

Mark Batty made 58 before retiring hurt and Eshan Khan finished unbeaten on 50 in Cowling’s 193 for five, before Matthew Wiggan (4-26) helped dismiss the hosts for 105.

2008 ROLL OF HONOUR Division One: Champions – Cullingworth; relegated – Bingley Congs and Barrowford.

DivisionTwo: Champions – Haworth Road; runners-up – Haworth; relegated – Airedale and Denholme.

Division Three: Champions – Glusburn II; runners-up – Skipton CI; relegated: Carleton and Airedale II.

Division Four: Champions – Riddlesden; runners-up – Haworth West End; Relegated – Chatburn II and Thornton II.

Division Five: Champions – Cononley II; runners-up – Wilsden II.

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