League record broken as the bowlers have plenty to say

2:45pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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The weather still continues to have a big say in the outcome of matches. Bowlers were on top in the main with plenty of low scores on Saturday in the Mewies Solicitors Craven & District League.

A league record was broken when Long Lee's Shahbaz Ahmed returned incredible figures of 10-10 off 11 overs as Denholme were shot out for a paltry 22 in 21 overs.

Their innings contained seven ducks with David Wear and his son Andrew Wear each scoring seven. In their innings the Keighley side made 125 with Mark Day top scoring with 40 as Andrew Wear took 4-42 and David Wear (3-21).

In the First Division, Crossflatts are now the only unbeaten side. They made the short journey to Bingley Congs and dismissed the Beckfoot side for 116 with Chris Hemsley scoring 60 as Rashid Ayub took five for 22 and Mick Addy (4-36). The visitors cruised home by seven wickets with Ayub making 66 not out.

Sandy Lane lost their unbeaten tag to champions Cullingworth at Roydwood Terrace. The visitors were restricted to 125 in their innings with Brannon Varley taking six for 19 and David Robinson (3-20). The Welch brothers were instrumental in taking the home side to the points by six wickets; Chris made 32 and Steve (30 not out).

Up at Cowling, Bradley were hustled out for 82 with Steve Richardson and Martyn Dalby doing the damage with five for 34 and five for 41 respectively.

James Heseltine made 37 not out and followed this with four for eight as the home side collapsed from 69-4 to 77 all out. Matty Simpson chipped in with 4-24.

There was a close finish to the Glusburn-Embsay game. The Shires Laners went first and posted 184-7 with Duncan Ward making 58 and 16-year-old Nathan Robinson (35), as the home side put down numerous chances.

Glusburn edged home by one wicket with five balls to spare. Aussie J Cruse scored 47 as Stephen Speak claimed five for 55.

Thornton's trip to Cononley was fruitful as they won by four wickets in a low scoring game. The home side were dismissed for 64 with Marc Laycock claiming five for 25 and Mark Paxton (3-9).

Thornton had to work hard for the spoils, losing six wickets before they got home, with Colin Stead finishing with five for 19 off seven overs.

Joint leaders of the Second Division, Chatburn, were in fine fettle at home to Airedale. Russell Braithwaite (7-8) and Andy Booth (3-16) had the Keighley side back in the hut for a miserable 24 in 12.4 overs. They too had seven ducks, as Nick Ahad made 15. The Ribble Valley side sauntered home by ten wickets in 10.1 overs.

The other joint leaders, Haworth Road were left frustrated and kicking their heels as their game at Ingrow St John's was called off.

Foulridge were let down by two players, who didn't turn up for their game with Wilsden. Foulridge went first and made 161 for eight with B O'Keefe making 44 and John Lambert (37) as G Stableford took four for 34.

Wilsden were struggling at 110-7 before Dave Henson joined Steve Wright and the pair fell just four runs short of their target. Henson made 29 not and Wright (46 not out).

The two sides relegated from the top division, Haworth and Sutton, locked horns in Bronteland. The South Craveners were restricted to 104 with H Shazad scoring 42 as Jamie Rowell took five for 21 and Andy Godden (4-17). After losing five quick wickets it was left to the Rowell brothers to forge a partnership that took them to the spoils. Damian made 49 not out and Jamie (25 not out).

Up at Ingrow, Pendle Forest were going along very nicely at 107-1 when Ian Roberts was brought back into the attack. He took seven for 37, in eight overs, as the Fence side collapsed to 130 all out.

Andrew Townsend finished with 83 which included two sixes and nine fours.

The Keighley side got home by eight wickets thanks to a second wicket partnership of 106 by Adie Parker and Mark Pennington who made 34. The former went on to finish with 74 not out which included one six and nine fours.

Glusburn II and Long Lee II head Division Three after both recorded excellent wins.

Glusburn II were at Embsay II and won easily 91 runs. Both sides had agreed that the game would also double for their preliminary round of the Cowling Cup which was washed out last week.

Karl Samson top scored for the second week running with 43 as Glusburn made 152-8. Nas Hussein and Aslam Hussein both took 3-37. The Shires Laners collapsed to 62 all out with Bryan Hollis taking 3-4, Rummy Smith 3-5 and Kev Hird 3-7.

Long Lee II entertained Carleton and saw them off by 15 runs. The Keighley side were restricted to 103 by the bowling of Gareth Wooler (5-41) and Neville Allen (4-29). The Ramper Park side slumped to 88 with S Razak taking four for 35 and S Webster (3-15).

Skipton CI's John Drake took 6-67 as his side won by seven wickets at Gargrave, and Barrowford II went down by 67 runs to Oakworth II at Bull Holme.

Cowling II claimed three points when Airedale II were unable to raise a side.

Cullingworth maintained their lead at the top of Division Four with a 22-run victory at Sandy Lane II.

Bradley's Andy Holmes (4-33) and Ian Clarkson (4-45) sent visitors Chatburn II back to the pavilion for 95 despite A Bennett making 43 not out.

Then Geoff Lambert's (5-29) and Andy Lambert's (4-4) off seven overs dismissed the home side for 57.

Eldwick & Gilstead triumphed by two wickets at Thornton II. The home side were restricted to 83 with Brian Laycock top scoring with 30 as D Pearson took 5-18 and J Gore 4-3. Laycock then claimed five for 41 as the visitors stuttered to the winning post with Pearson scoring a match-winning 44.

There were eight ducks and three extras as Pendle Forest II capitulated to ten all out in 11.5 overs. T Hodgson took six for four and Harry Williamson (4-3). The Keighley side lost a wicket in the 19 balls it took them to overtake the Fence side's score.

In the Fifth Division Wilsden II hammered 252 for five off the Foulridge II attack. S Mahmood made 56, A Jowett (50) and D Kirby (48). Foulridge replied with 102 as Kevin Wilmot took four for 22.

Another side in the runs was Bingley Congs II who smashed 251 at Pendle Forest III. D Tarren led the way with 73 as the Fence side tried eight bowlers - the eighth of which, G Phillips took five for 288 off five overs. The home side slumped to 67 all out.

You can't keep a good old un out of the limelight. Sutton II's David Holdsworth top scored with 22 and then took five for 14 as they overcame Oakworth III by 17 runs at Royd Hill. Oliver Stell and L Chapman both claimed four for 18 for the losers.

Gargrave II's Robert Storr (5-17) and W Smith (5-21) hustled Skipton CI II out for 43 at Sandylands. The visitors lost five wickets reaching their target.

Glusburn III went down by 83 runs at home to Cononley II.

Cowling Cup preliminary round Embsay II and Glusburn II agreed that the game played on Saturday will also count as the Cowling Cup match. Glusburn II are now away to Gargrave II in the first round.

The weather caused problems to Bingley Congs II and Skipton CI II. When a delayed start was finally made it was agreed that the game would be a 20-over thrash.

CI II made 89-7 with M Seward making 45 not out. The Beckfoot side failed by just three runs to get into the next round where Skipton CI II will be at home to Haworth II.

Manorlands Plate The game between Champions and Wynn Cup holders, Cullingworth, and league runners-up Thornton due to be played at Glusburn on Sunday was called off around lunchtime because of the wet conditions.

The league will now look at ways of raising money for the Manorland's Hospice. The game may be played at a later date or a grand raffle could be set up.