TORRENTIAL showers took a heavy toll on Saturday's league programme with only five games going ahead.

Two of the matches had a big bearing on the top of the Second Division, but there was no play in the First and Third Divisions.

Leaders of the Second Division, Skipton CI, travelled to Airedale and asked the home side to bat in a game which had been reduced to 33 overs.

Tim Crossley and mark Allcock both scored 24 as the team reached a modest 104, with John Drake taking 6-60 and Shaun Williamson 4-33.

Conditions ensured that that the reply would also be a struggle, however the Skipton side won by five wickets with just nine ball sleft. Ian Burke top scored with 34 as Molcolm Quinlan claimed 4-23. The victory ensured CI will play First Division cricket next season.

Long Lee should be the team joining them, but they have to wait at another week to make certain. The Keighley side slipped up ont heir travells to Chatburn, near Clitheroe. The home side batted first and were restricted to 116-8, Richard Shovelton scored 39 and Chris Taylor took 4-57.

Long Lee failed by 11 runs to reach the target when they were all out in the penultimate over. Alan Coney was not out on 27 as John Lockley took 4-35.

Second Placed Skipton CI took advantage of Fourth Division Leaders Long Lee who were out of action. Church Insitute closed the gap at the top to eight points.

They restricted Airedale to 82 in a 40-over per side game. David Mills stop scored with 33 as M Khalil continued his rich vein of wicket taking, ending up with 6-42 off 15.5 overs. The homesters lost two quick wickets before cantering home by seven wickets in the 20th over, S Walker scoring a match-winning 46 not out.

Despite not playing the other results confirmed their promotion to the Third Division.

Third placed Carleton can't catch them despite winning at Pendle forest III. The Fence side was dismissed for 87 with evergreen veteran David Hall scoring 32 as David Humphries claimed 5-12. The visitors floundred early on, losing quick wickets. However, Humphries scored a crucial 40 not out to lead his side to a five wicket win.

In the only other game where play was possible, Ingrow St John's asked visitors Foulridge to bat first and restricted them to 107-8 with Ian Edworthy top scoring on 23 notout. M Mehrban was the pick of the bolwers with 3-21.

Dave Unwin led the reply with a half century as Saints cruised to an eight-wicket win.

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