Denholme made the rest of the league sit up and take notice after blasting 315-2 as they ripped Haworth West End's attack apart last weekend.

They joined the league during the winter after playing in the Bradford Central League for several seasons.

After an opening stand of 95 they romped on with a second wicket perrtnership of 219 between Gareth Marshall with 148 and R Taylor 103 not out.

In the First Division Carleton and Skipton CI scored 477 runs between them at Ramper Park, in an exciting game which went to the next to last ball.

Visitors CI batted first and scored 238-7, with Mark Worthington scoring a superb 114 and Shaun Williamson 54. The villagers' reply was got off to a fine start with Steve Carling (49) and Rob Walker putting on 77 for the first wicket. Skipper Ian Bell and Jonathan Charlton, with 72 and 29 respectively, put together a stand of 105 for the fourth wicket. In a tense finish they got home by four wickets with just one ball to go.

Oakworth travelled to Bradley and restricted the home side to 141-7 in their overs, M Milbourne top scoring with 39. The Keighley side's reply revolved around a fit again John Crossley (52) and R Fairburn (41) as A Smithson took 4-28.

At Booth Bridge Lane Sutton made 147-8, with Craig Thornton leading the way with 68 as Richard Craddock to 3-1. The homesters' reply was always under pressure but David Harrison anchored the innings with 45no as victory was achieved by two wickets. Darren Wild took 4-48 for the losers.

Cowling's season has yet to start, they came away empty handed from Haworth having lost by three wickets. Skipper Steve Mitchell held the visitors together with a patient 57 as Duncan Marsden took 4-39. The Bronte side cantered to victory thanks mainly to their skipper Adrian Ratcliffe who made 66.

The derby game between Pendle Forest and Barrowford at Fence went the way of the home side. The Bullholme side were held to a modest 109-9 in their overs, Tim Stanley spinning his way to 4-22. Mohammed Ayub scored 43 as Forest sauntered home by six wickets.

Embsay and Long Lee were embroiled in a terrific cat and mouse game at Shires Lane. The visitors batted first and lost two quick wickets. Then Paul Stowell 31, Matt Taylor 30 and skipper Chris Taylor 35 pushed the score to 140-8 against some tight bowling backed up by excellent fielding. When the home side batted they got bogged down by a fine spell of bowling by Chris Taylor, ably supported by the wily John Tetley. At 105-6 at the end of the 40th over it was game on and with two overs to go 19 runs were required. Steve Speak and Jono Coward set about the bowler and stormed to victory with three balls to spare. Chris Taylor finished with a creditable 5-59 off 22 overs. For the victors Ed Tiffany top scored with 38.

The only 100 per cent record in any division vanished as Glusburn came to grief down at Airedale in a low scoring game. The Keighley side batted first and were dismissed for 79, Brian Hollis being the main wicket taker with 5-22 in 18.3 overs. Sixteen-year-old Ben Guest roared back at the South Craveners to finish with 6-17 off 15 overs as they were shot out for 57, Alan Hayes chipping in with 4-7 off just five overs. Extras were the top scorer in both innings with 15 and 23 respectively.

Cononley were too strong for visitors Keighley Tech. Batting first the homesters scored 170-8, with Roger Nelson making 85 and Neil Coward 53.

Tech's reply closed on 118, with Andy Town taking 4-45 and Geoff Iveson 3-17.

Gargrave lost a couple of quick wickets at home to Barnoldswick III. However, George Rhodes (55) and D Mountain (59no) put on 80 for the third wicket, which helped them to 162-3 when the innings closed. The nine man visitors were never in the hunt and the innings closed on 98-8, Ray Jones taking 4-35.

Foulridge are another side still looking for their first win of the season. They entertained Ingrow St John at Noyna and were restricted to 115, only Tony Bradley (49) and extras (29) reaching double figures, Anthony Haigh taking 5-45. In reply the Saints reached their target in the 27th over with four wickets to spare, Ramzan top scoring with 38, Chris Brooker- Carey being the most successful bowler with 3-14 off eight overs.

Denholme's 315-2 consisted of a partnership of 95 for the first wicket and 219 for the second with Gareth Marshall making 148 and R Taylor 103no. D Wear made 46. Haworth WE put in a brave effort made 238-8 as they went for the target, Lee Bilbrough making 56, Jason Bilbrough 52, Andy Parker 49 and Ian Bradbury 38.

Skipton CI were in sparkling form against Chatburn at Sandylands. The Red Rose side were hustled out for 43 in only 21 overs, John Stuttard finishing with 7-16. Skipton lost two wickets reaching their target.

Sutton were another side to be dismissed cheaply. They made only 53 at home to Thornton, the damage being done by Richard Thompson 4-11 and David Sharples 4-17. The visitors then cruised to an impressive nine wicket win.

Bradley travelled to Oakworth and held the Cure Hill side to 94-9, Mick Hall taking 4-25. Ian Price scored 45no as the South Craveners romped home by seven wickets.

The local derby at Barrowford saw Pendle Forest emerge victorious by five wickets. The Bull Holme side made 109, with Ajmal Choudry taking 5-15 in 14 overs. Evergreen Mick Gowling 35 and Mark Vickerman 30no set up the victory after coming together at 39-4. David Berry took 3-25.

At Glusburn, the home side mustered 146, with Colin Ridehalgh making 42 as David Walsh claimed 5-50. In reply visitors Haworth got home by one wicket with three overs to spare.

Jan Haider 55 was the mainstay of Long Lee's innings at home to Embsay.

Four other batsmen got into the 20s, which enabled the innings reach 176-8, Ian Robson finishing with 4-66 off 22 overs. It took the Shires Lane side 30.5 overs to reach their target, thanks to some belligerent hitting by Paul Barwick who finished on 73no. He was helped by Wally Robertson 42no and Nasir Hussain 38.

Gargrave's side contained six juniors and they put up a fine effort at Pendle Forest III. Batting first they made 137, with D Robertshaw making 28 and J Hirst 27, S Ellis finishing with 5-20. In reply the Fence side made 141-4, with David Hall making 55. It's good to see Mick Gildea back in cricket after his heart problems of last season. He showed that he is back to full fitness by making 123 out of Foulridge's 239-9 at Street Lane, G Clough finishing with 6-98. Ingrow St John's were restricted to 137-7 in their overs, Barry Wood scoring 57no as S Kegg took 5-17.

Cowling were too good for visitors Airedale, dismissing them for 67, with J Ackroyd taking 4-23. The homesters galloped home by nine wickets.

T Clark made 139 for Denholme as they scored 139 at home to Haworth WE, M Cummins finishing with 4-36. Then S Haigh 8-21 ripped through the Bronte batters and had them back in the hut for 44.

Finally, Keighley Tech must have been fairly confident after whipping visitor Cononley out for just 52, D Woolley 5-22 and C Brooks 4-28 doing the damage. However, they in turn were blasted out for a paltry 33, with S Hardaker taking 4-12.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.