THE Mewies Solicitors Craven League XI could have won both matches against the Nidderdale League at the Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge but ended up losing them both.

A poor weather forecast meant that the sides opted to play two T20 contests rather than one longer format game – one as a friendly and the second, after a hearty lunch in the marquee, for the silverware.

For most of the first match it looked as if the Craven League would defend their score of 89, only for the Nidderdale League to triumph by four wickets in the penultimate over.

The Craven League also batted first in the Show match, totalling 132-7, of which Gargrave’s Will Smith made 45 and Eldwick & Gilstead’s Matthew Sharp 28.

Then Jarrod McPhee (54no) and Sam Abel (53) both scored half-centuries in a seventh-wicket partnership of 78 to rescue the Nidderdale League from 26-6 and total 135-8, winning off the last ball with a six, after Riddlesden’s Zaheer Abbas (4-0-8-0) and Sharp (3-15) had initially put them on the back foot.

Also Haworth’s Tom Rowell, only 15, showed up well and looks a decent cricketer in the making.

Craven League skipper Dave Snowden (Sutton) admitted: “It was quite difficult getting a team together as we had a couple of drop-outs during the week and two the night before but we got 11 lads out and both were good games.

“The wicket was always going to be difficult due to the weather and Ziggy and Matty bowled well first up in the first game and then the spinners bowled well.

“But Martyn Dalby had a shocker, turning up late, going out to bat with two left-handed gloves (then realising his mistake and coming back towards the pavilion) before being dismissed first ball, and it was his birthday as well!

“Also, James Roper had his windscreen put through by a six in the first match, but the team spirit was good all day.”

Friendly: Craven League 89 (J Rowell 20, D Snowden 16, Z Abbas 13, T Rowell 11; J McPhee 2-8, J Tear 3-12, I Light 2-21, J Preece 2-5), Nidderdale League 91-6 (McPhee 29, Light 20no; M Sharp 2-8).

Nidderdale Show match: Craven League 132-7 (Snowden 12, T Rowell 11, Sharp 28, W Smith 45, Abbas 17, M Simpson 10no; McPhee 3-8, Light 2-2), Nidderdale League 135-8 (McPhee 54no, S Abel 53, O Fryer 11; Sharp 3-15).