Shock Riddlesden defeat leaves door open for Cowling

While Sutton’s first XI have been relegated from Division One of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League, their second XI stand on the brink of promotion from Division Four.

Sutton were sent in at Haworth in the top flight and were rolled over for 53 inside 30 overs, with only opener George Elrick (15) making double figures.

Haworth knocked the runs off for the loss of one wicket by the end of the 15th over.

At the other end of the table, thanks to Riddlesden’s shock defeat by Wilsden, Cowling have managed to extend the title race by another week, despite losing at Haworth Road Meths.

However, Riddlesden only need one more point to be certain of the silverware with two matches left.

Cowling were sent in but could only score 95, with Laiq Ur Rehman (24) easily the best of four players in double figures.

Danish Hameed (2-14) was the only successful bowler of the eight tried by Cowling, who lost by eight wickets in the 35th over.

Gargrave, who host Cowling on the last day of the season (September 16) still have an outside chance of second place.

They dismissed hosts Denholme for 68, with Matty Simpson taking 4-4, Will Smith 2-3 and Brad Gardner 2-19, and breezed home without loss in 6.5 overs, with Dave Harrop 57 not out off just 27 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.

In Division Two, it is still perm any two from three for promotion, with Bradley on 231 points, Glusburn on 217 and Airedale on 214.

Bradley dismissed Skipton CI for 75 at Sandylands, with only captain Danny Smith (19) and Qamar Zulfiqar (17no) keeping the scorers occupied for any time as Iklaq Ahmed returned the outstanding figures of 5.1-2-4-5.

Opener Matt Buckmaster (34no) then guided Bradley home in 20 overs as they won by eight wickets.

Glusburn won by the same margin at Hepworth & Idle II, who made 172, with Irfan Khaliq taking 3-45 and Tamoor Munir 2-17.

Ryan Ridehalgh (96 off 61 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes) and Matt Lloyd (60no) then almost took Glusburn home with an opening stand of 141, but they still won as early as the 23rd over.

Airedale batted first at Silsden and made 166-8, with Ahsan Rizwan taking 3-36 and Will Pullen 2-18.

Six Silsden players then made double figures, but no-one topped 20 as they were dismissed for 128.

Thornton-in-Craven moved above CI into fourth after a five-wicket home win over Long Lee, who made 137-8 after being sent in, the wickets being shared.

Despite a second-wicket stand of 44 between opener Rob Cockell (11) and Jack Laycock (33), Thornton were still 84-5, only for Tom Cleaver (28no) and David Holt (24no) to add 56 unbroken.

Bowling Baptist and Cononley have been promoted from Division Three, but the destiny of the title is still unknown.

Appreciating the Lawkholme Lane wicket, Cononley made 281-2 after opting to bat against Keighley III, with both openers, Scott Brook (109) and Herbie Starkey (103), making centuries in a stand of 228.

Skipper and keeper Brook faced 138 balls and hit 13 fours, while Starkey faced 113 deliveries and hit eight fours and a six.

Nathan Parker (38no) and Harry Parker (15no) then ensured that there was no loss of momentum before Keighley III were dismissed for 185, with Parker (3-42) and Colin Stead (3-21) helping to wrap up the tail as the hosts collapsed from 176-3.

Gargrave II are third after a concession from Bingley Congs III, while it is as you were at the bottom with Skipton CI II and Cowling II both losing.

CI were at leaders Bowling Baptist, who made 209, despite Danyal Iqbal taking 4-26 and Tariq Ghani 2-2.

Only three CI players then made double figures as they were skittled for 72.

Cowling II chose to bat at home to Haworth II and made 139, which looked to be out of the question when they were 59-8.

However, No 10 Hussnain Ishaq (25) and Reyen Hassan Ali (28) added 42, and Hassan Ali then put on 38 for the last wicket with Ubayd Ali (12no).

Even so it wasn’t enough as bottom-of-the-table Haworth won by five wickets in the 35th over, climbing out of the relegation places, which are now occupied by CI II and Cowling II.

Sutton II made Ingrow II regret batting first at Royd Hill in Division Four, toppling them for 62, with Ben Middleton (3-17), Jaison Joseph (3-8) and Babugi Mon Soman (2-17) in the wickets.

The hosts then breezed to a 10-wicket victory inside 12 overs, thanks to skipper Craig Thornton (22no) and Jack Middleton (30no).

Second-placed Silsden II were almost as emphatic at Airedale II, dismissing them for 102, the Cobbydalers attack being led by Gareth Smith (5-23).

Silsden won by nine wickets in the 28th over, led by openers Hugh Sugden (28no) and Jack Lister (27), Keenan Wozny then making 30 not out.

Glusburn II only made 132 after winning the toss at home to Denholme II, Mohammed Imran (35) and captain Mark Pickles (21) leading the way.

The visitors won by seven wickets in the 33rd over, despite Pickles taking 2-17.

Bradley II could make only 87 at home to Menston Crompark II, with captain Harry Andrews (25) the best of four players in double figures.

Charlie Andrews (5-25) then helped to reduce Crompark to 38-6 but he lacked support as the improving visitors won by four wickets in the 27th over.