FOR a side that generally struggle to score runs, Bingley Congs II’s batted impressively last weekend in Division Two of the Craven League.

Visitors Foulridge made 228-8 but, undaunted, relegation-threatened Congs won by four wickets with 10.1 overs to spare.

Ali Asghar took 3-38 in Foulridge’s innings but then the spotlight was on the Congs batters, who delivered in spades.

Lee Crowther’s 54 took only 43 balls and contained seven fours and a six, and he added 70 for the second wicket with Chris Hemsley (17) before Towhid Ali (44) put on 88 for the fifth wicket with Safraz Mahmood (51), who was in for 31 deliveries and cracked seven fours and two sixes.

Congs are still in a relegation berth in 11th, but are now only five points behind groundshare neighbours Bradford & Bingley, who sit 10th.

The latter made 134 at home to Bradley, including 27 from No.9 Farhan Khalid and 31 from No.10 Hikmat Ullah Shah, but it was nowhere near enough as the South Craven side won by seven wickets.

At the other end of the table, Eldwick & Gilstead are putting severe pressure on second-placed Silsden, who lost at home to Long Lee.

Ajeet Singh (3-10), Matthew Sharp (3-17) and Jordan Bayliss (2-22) toppled Barrowford II for just 61, and Sharp (39no) and Jacob Roach (24no) then took the visitors to a ten-wicket win.

In Division One, leaders Bingley Congs had it almost as easy at Cowling, triumphing by nine wickets.

Harry Greenhalgh (3-21) and Johandre Barnard (4-14) were instrumental in Cowling being dismissed for 100, and keeper George Hicks (43no) and Barnard (36) then helped Congs past their target in just 15.3 overs.

It was a different story for Haworth Road Meths, however, who were rolled over for 51 in 24.5 overs at Gargrave, with only opener Naseeb Ali (14) reaching double figures.

The home side lost four wickets in reply, triumphing after 14.3 overs in what was a short game.

Hepworth & Idle’s good run continued as they won by four wickets at Haworth.

Brothers Alex (3-14) and Jonathan Robinson (3-45) carried on their decent form with the ball as Haworth were dismissed for 175, and Jonny Thompson then made 64 not out for the Westfield Laners.

The match was in the balance when they were 50-4 but Thompson added 43 for the fifth wicket with Ryan Welsh (13) and 76 for the sixth with Simon Raistrick (37).

Wilsden are ninth after defeating visitors Denholme by 29 runs, with the talented Hasnat Bukhari making an unbeaten 75 in the hosts’ 172.

Sam (4-41) and Ben Mitchell (4-31) then got to work as Denholme were back in the pavilion for 143.

It was a good day too for Hepworth & Idle II in Division Three as the third-placed club skittled second-placed visitors Cononley for 41 in 17.5 overs, with Owen Price taking 5-8 and Swaraj Thakur 5-27.

Mark Davies (28no) then saw the hosts to a nine-wicket victory in the 11th over, as the sides swapped places in the table.

Wilsden II handed leaders Thornton-in-Craven a walkover.

In Division Four, Hepworth & Idle III made 165 in their Sunday clash against Keighley III at Lawkholme Lane.

Bradley Elliott hit nine fours and a six in his 45 for the visitors and Chris Newell scored 30.

However, that score proved not to be enough, as Keighley III breezed home by seven wickets.