Even an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 148 couldn’t save Embsay from defeat in their Division One game at Thornton.

The Shire Laners had looked destined for a heavy loss when they plunged to 70-8 in the face of good bowling from Jack Laycock (4-64) and Jason Lockley (3-53).

But skipper Dave Wellock was in no mood to throw in the towel.

He made a superb 118no while Ben Keane gave support with 22 not out.

Unfortunately for Embsay their overs ran out with them on 218-8 in reply to Thornton’s 240-8 – the day’s highest score.

Jonny Martin (54), Jack Laycock (51) and Kev Pollard (41) were their main contributors.

With Division One leaders, Haworth Road, suffering their second-successive abandonment at Airedale , Haworth cut their lead to a point.

Haworth struggled to 109 as Michael Scarborough (5-43) and Adam Smith (4-44) did the damage. Oakworth also found runs hard to come by and were dismissed for 85 as Gary Binns took 6-52.

Crossflatts are third after an 84-run win over Barrowford.. A Ayub (59) was in the runs again and together with Lee Bailey (33no) helped Crossflatts to 176. Barrowford tumbled from 81-3 to 92 all out as A Saeed took 5-22 and Ayub (3-8).

Bradley were bowled out for 115 as they suffered a three-wicket defeat to Bingley Congs. James Heseltine top scored with 35 Cullingworth recovered from 7-4 to make 183 as they beat Ingrow by 18 runs.

Division Two leaders Ingrow St John's featured in a high-scoring tie at Oakworth.

Omar Khatab (66) Deepal Dissan- ayake (44) and Farman Haider (44) saw the Saints to 218 as Sam Nettleton took 4-28. Brannan Lawn 74 led the reply with Drew Duffy chipping in with 44 and Nettleton 34 as the Wide Lane side suffered two run outs before they closed on 218-6.

That allows Foulridge to draw level at the top after seeing off Pendle Forest by five wickets at Noyna. Outfield conditions at Cowling meant the boundary at the village end of the ground had to be brought in 15 yards, and sawdust had to be liberally applied.

Visitors Riddlesden worked hard to reach 137 as Charlie Hassan took 4-30 and Steve Mitchell (3-39). The home side were 13-2 but Martyn Dalby hit an unbeaten 86 off 73 balls to seal a seven-wicket win.

Sandy Lane were too good for Cononley , winning by seven wickets at the Coulthurst Ground. Sutton entertained neighbours Glusburn and must have thought they had done the hard work when they knocked them over for 77. David Atkinson top scored with 37 as Wasim Hussain took 4-6 and Justin Holdsworth (3-4) off six overs. Back roared Glusburn and blasted Sutton out for a paltry 26 with Nick William- son taking 7-6.

Denholme head Division Three by four points from Barrowford II. after a seven-wicket win over Eldwick and Gilstead.

Barrowford II encountered a few problems before seeing off the eight men of Crossflatts II by three wickets.

John Metcalfe took 6-6 as Embsay II dismissed Chatburn for 37 to secure a 91-run win.

Under-15s skipper Morgan Davies made 57 and Alan Pickles (31) in Embsay’s 128.

Division Four leaders Wilsden II continued their winning ways when they brushed aside the challenge of Long Lee II by six wickets.

Bradford & Bingley III are in second spot, five points adrift. They were bowled out for 92 at Ingrow II but still secured a ten-run win.

Airedale II are third, a further four points behind, after beating Glusburn by 23 runs.

What would Cononley II do without captain Joel Grainger? He made 92 of his side’s 135-8 at home to Sandy Lane, but he ended up on the losing side as S Brown blasted 100 not out to guide Sandy Lane to a seven-wicket win.

Bingley Congs II successfully def- ended a lowly score of 71 to get home by five runs at home to Bradley II. For the Beckfoot side Josh Nutting made a battling 38 as Jago Bean took 6-22. Tony Teale (5-20) and Michael Baines (4-32) bowled Congs to victory.

The top two in Division Five were both beaten. Leaders Pendle Forest were dismissed for 65 as they suffered a one-wicket defeat against Foulridge.

Second-placed Cowling II crashed by eight wickets at Bronte Fields where Matty Lee (50no) and Alan Fothergill (4-28 and 47) were the stars for Oakworth III’s eight-wicket win.

Third-placed Sutton II kept their outside chance of promotion alive when they travelled to Chatburn II and won by 13 runs. Thornton II let their game with Haworth WE slip through their fingers. Defending a total of 90 they had the hosts at 38-6 before H Sherlock with 47no guided the tail to the points by two wickets.

It was a similar scenario at Gargrave where Skipton CI II were the visitors. The home side made a modest 84 with S Nawaz taking 4-12 and Sam Smith (3-15). Skipton CI recovered from 14-4 to reach 81-6 only to lose their last four wickets for one run.

The Sandylands lost four wickets reaching 14 then recovered to 81-6. The last four wickets added just one run and they lost by two runs as Joe Wood took 5-20 and Carl Tetley 3-15.