THE most spectacular exhibition of ferocious batting ever seen in Craven League cricket left ten-man Jimmy Nelson's in a daze after their Wynn Cup Round One match at Oakworth.

Form upsets are the stuff of cup folklore, but this new page in the annals of the league will be devoted only to the day that Goliath slaughtered David in merciless fashion.

Statistics can be massaged to tell any sort of story, but there is only one, stark picture to be painted from the numbers which record the encounter at Cure Hill. Oakworth's 456-6 in 45 overs provides an overview of the carnage. Robert Hopkinson, who hit a splendid 147, which included seven sixes and 14 fours and took just 88 balls was the supporting player in this extravaganza.

Centre stage was claimed by Michael Scarborough, who turned in a display of hitting that even his father Wilf, a fine striker of the ball during his illustrious career, must have watched with admiration.

Scarborough Jun smashed 133 off only 40 balls in just 44 minutes. He was only at the crease for 11 overs and his 50 came off 16 balls and his century from 31. His knock included 14 sixes and 10 fours. Graham Rankin's unbeaten 58 was no more than a walk-on part in this epic and it was no surprise that the shell-shocked red rose side could only manage 93 in reply.

Needless to say, the Oakworth total is a record score for any side in the history of the League beating

Cowling Seconds' 416-4 against Skipton CI back in 1994.

In sharp contrast, visitors Ingrow St John's made the holders of the trophy, Haworth, to fight all the way to keep their hands on the cup. They won the trophy last year by beating Oakworth by one run in the last over. On Sunday, they won off the very last ball of the game.

Chasing the Saints 186-9, they required 10 at the start of the last over. The winning score was four leg byes. For the Saints, Wasim and Colin Bottomley made 46 apiece, with the latter also taking 3-41 along with Chris Walker 3-38. Adrian Ratc1iffe was the star for the Bronte side with 83.

For the second day running, Thornton entertained Barrowford and like Saturday, the result was a win for the homesters - this time by 4 wickets.

The Bull Holme side batted first and were dismissed for 108, with Kevin Lyons top scorer with 22 as David Holt took 4-17 and Stephen Lodge 3-23. The Booth Bridge Lane side were reduced to 69-6 before the scourge of the previous day, Brian Laycock and Nick Paxton took their side into the second round by four wickets. Laycock finished with 26no and Paxton 21no.

Embsay entertained Barnoldswick and saw them score 135, with Matthew Plant top scoring, with 27 as Scott Robinson took 3-28. The home side cruised to 101-1, then lost four quick wickets before getting home by five wickets. Jason Waddington made 40 and David Robinson 33.

Gargrave put up a brave performance at home to Foulridge before going down by seven wickets. Batting first, the locals scored a very creditable 194-6, with Ernie Moorhouse scoring 87no. He put on 118 for the fifth wicket with 14-year-old Andrew Fould, who made 34.

Chris Flood made 32 and 'Extras' weighed in with a valuable 37. John Lickess continued his sparkling form with 86 no for the Noyna side as their target was reached in the 43rd over, Chris Preston adding 36 and Mohammed Nawaz 31 no.

At Sandylands, there was a close game between Skipton CI and Denholme. The visitors batted first and started brightly, with 67 for the first wicket. However, the bowling tightened and the score struggled to 132-7 at the close of the innings, Gareth Marshall making 39 and Rob Taylor 35.

The home side struggled to 58-5 before a partnership of 68 by skipper Nick Williamson, who made 59no, and John Drake, who made 24, took them to the verge of victory. However, three quick wickets set the nerves tingling and the last four runs were scampered as victory was reached in the 40th over.

Visitors Cullingworth put long Lee to the sword. They were dismissed for a moderate 113, with second teamer Richard Granger making the top score of 28 as Chris Welch took 5-20. Mark Jones 52no and Steve Welch 40 secured the second-round place by eight wickets.

Bradley scored a welcome victory over at Cowling, although their reward for that is a home game against Oakworth.

Batting first, they made 184-7, of which Neil Robinson made 44. He followed this with 4-29 as the homesters were dismissed for 132.

Glusburn upset First Division visitors Sutton in the South Craven derby. Batting first Glusburn made 173-9, with David Barton top scoring with 36 and Justin Holdsworth taking 5-23. Sutton could only muster 101 in reply, of which Paul Williams scored 41. Phil Taylor 5-14 and Craig Watts 4-32 did the damage for the winners.

Keighley Tec had no answer to Ingrow, making only 42 and going down by 10 wickets.

A timely knock of 40 by David Flounders was the difference between Pendle Forest and Airedale. The Fence side made 158, with Matthew Cox taking 3-39 and Ibrah 3-50. In reply the Keighley side were all out for 109, Trevor Cox making 28 as Tim Stanley spun his way to 4-29.

Another player in sparkling form with the bat was Carleton's Neville Allan, who hit the day's top tally, an unbeaten 161 in his side's 288-5 against Cononley.

Faced with such a daunting task, Cononley were never in contention and fell for 124 in reply.

The revised draw for the second round, to be played on Sunday 3rd June, is: Cullingworth v Foulridge, Thornton v Embsay, Bradley v Oakworth, Glusburn v Pendle Forest and Haworth West End v Ingrow.