Cowling grabbed a thrilling one-run victory as the weather took a heavy toll on the Craven League programme.

The nail-biting clash at Cullingworth defied heavy rain in the morning and saw a stringof impressive performances with both bat and ball.

A solid team effort helped Cowling to 148-9 as Cullingworth skipper David Hall took 6-49.

The homesters tried to dash their way to victory and were only in the 30th over when their last man holed out going for a winning big hit when a single would have earned at least two points.

League leaders Embsay took advantage of the inactivity of their two nearest rivals, Barrowford and Oakworth to widen the gap at the top. They now have a four point lead over the Lancashire club and are eight points ahead of Oakworth.

Foulridge won the toss at Shires Lane and saw Duncan Bullough and Simon Bailey put on 115 for the first wicket when Bailey went for 61. After losing Duncan Ward for 4, Bullough helped the score to 180 before being run out for a splendid 85. At the close of the overs Embsay had reached 205-5.

The Noyna side were making a solid reply at 86-2 but the introduction of Scott Robinson and Richard Phillipson into the attack saw them lose eight wickets for just 21 runs. Phillipson finishing with 4-8 and Robinson 4-16 as John Lambert top scored with 33.

The top three in clubs in the Division Two all managed to play - and win.

Glusburn entertained Denholme and saw the 10-man team post 167-9, Rob Taylor made 66 and Gareth Marshall 41 as Matt Lloyd took 4-32 and Mark Pickles 3-60. The homesters were made to work hard for the spoils as they lost eight wickets reaching their target. Omar Kahtab hit a breezy 58, David Barton 34 and Mick Baxter 26 as Gareth Marshall finished with 6-74.

Bingley Congs were just over the hill at Cononley. The visitors dismissed the South Craveners for 126 with Andy Dibb taking 6-48 as A Starkey and Andrew Town both made 22. In reply they cantered to victory by six wickets thanks mainly to Andy Copping 55no and Tim Burnley 45.

Skipton CI were at home to Wilsden and saw them make 147-7, batting first, with N Khan make 39 and S Wright 32 as John Drake claimed 4-55. The Skipton side then dashed to a fine seven wicket win with Nick Williamson leading the way with 75no assisted by Luke Walker with 34no.

At Ingrow, Colin Bottomley, Ingrow St John's skipper, scored 104no to help his side to 198-9. In reply Anthony Haigh took 6-31 to help the homesters back to the hut 97 short of their target.

Down at an immaculate Haworth Road, the homesters got back to winning ways with a fine 30-run victory over Pendle Forest.

Batting first the home side lost three quick wickets to Nick Daniels. The skipper Charlie Hainsworth and his son Liam put on 91 for the fourth wicket. The latter was then caught on the mid-wicket boundary for a solid 34. Charlie pushed the score to 159 where he was seventh out, run out for 72. The total reached 170-8 at the close of the innings. The Fence side got off to a bright start with 58 for the first wicket. The introduction of leg spinner Andrew Gudgeon swung the game back to home side. In 12 overs he mesmerised most of the batsmen and finished with 6-30. Ryan Ellis plundered 24 with some big hitting but to no avail as his side fell short of their target.

There was only one game played in the Third Division, down at Riddlesden where Oakworth II were the visitors. The Keighley side went first and were indebted to Michael Bailey, who made 41, as the side totalled 121, Paul McCullough taking 5-24.

In reply Bailey took 6-16 as the Cure Hill side were dismissed for 99. He was ably assisted by Mohammed Irfan who kept a tight rein on proceedings by bowling 13 overs at a cost of just 14 runs.

Glusburn join Haworth Road at the top of the Fourth Division following a 59-run victory at Long Lee. The game was dominated by two big battingperformances. The visitors batted first and saw Phil Taylor with 121 help his side to an impressive 237-4. His innings included four sixes and fourteen fours, and along the way he had help from Graham Barr, 47, and Michael Hebden with 42.

In the reply Shabaz Ahmad hit a spectacular 93 which included ten sixes and four fours. Sadly only Curtis Towler with 24 could offer much assistance and Colin Ridehalgh, with 6-40, ensured they would no get anywhere near their target.

Cullingworth have really got the winning habit. Without a win for nine games they have now tasted victory in their last three matches. This week they dropped down the hill to Bingley Congs and rattled up 208-8 with Russell Hogg making 59. In reply the home side were dismissed for 153 thanks mainly to G Fletcher who finished with 5-52. The highlight of the innings was a gritty knock of 24 by 12-year-old Usman Arshad.

Wilsden struggled to cope with John Stuttard who finished with 6-43 as they made 110-9 at home to Skipton CI. The visitors then secured a five wicket victory which moves them into third spot a couple of points behind the joint leaders.

Keighley Tech stole a march on Crossflatts to open up a two-point gap at the top of Division Five. Away to Sandy Lane the Techies made 166-7. The homesters replied with 144.

Finally, Patrick Clark scored 56 to help Denholme to 161 at home to Riddlesden. Phil White had the best bowling figures of the day, 8-32. He followed this with 37 to go with A Hussain's 92 which helped the Keighley side to a three-wickets win.