Overnight rain may have changed ground conditions to the extent that there were plenty of low scores in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League.

However there were a couple of centuries, as well as the less surprising eight-wicket haul and several seven-wicket hauls.

Division One leaders Oakworth, moved within touching distance of the title – they are nine points clear with 12 to play for. They entertained bottom side Embsay and won a high-scoring game by 40 runs.

Oakworth rattled up 251-4, with Brannan Lawn (98) and Joel Gallagher (81) putting on 147 for the second wicket, and Michael Scarborough chipping in with 43.

In reply, the Shires Lane side quickly found themselves 3-3. However, they recovered well with Duncan Ward (52), Ben Keane (42) and Ben Stockton (40) leading the way.

No 11 Scott Robinson blasted 38no, which included 30 off one Jack Davison over which included four sixes, a four and a two. The innings closed on 211.

Haworth Road move into second spot after beating hosts Thornton by 139 runs. The Baildon Bottom side made 252-9, with Illyat Ullah hitting 68, Danny Pearson 51 and Mansha Khan 41 as Chris Heald took 5-65.

The Booth Bridge Laners were knocked over for 113, with Kevin Pollard top-scoring with 24 as Danish Tariq claimed 5-38 and Mohammed Zahid 4-26.

Ingrow St John’s enjoyed a stunning 228-run victory over Bradley at Street Lane. N Ali (65) made the early running before Nadeem Safdar (40no) and Ali Khalid (36no) pushed the score to an impressive 265-8.

The Matthews Lane side were hustled out for a paltry 37, with only Phil Binner (17no) making double figures. Safdar finished with 6-11 off 5.4 overs.

Cowling now enjoy a four-point lead at the top of Division Two after they beat Oakworth II and Riddlesden went down to Denholme.

Oakworth II won the toss and asked Cowling to bat, and at the end of 45 overs had seen them plunder 268-3, with Graham Rishton (113no) and Steve Richardson (81) putting on 193 for the first wicket.

In reply, the Cure Hill lads were hustled out for just 102, with Martyn Dalby finishing with 7-53 off 14 overs.

Glusburn are seven points adrift of Riddlesden after they slumped to a 27-run defeat at Airedale.
The Bradford Road side made a moderate 145 after being 124-2, with W Ismail making 49 and Matthew Cox 46 as James Tillotson claimed 4-17 and Mark Pickles 4-69.

No Park Field batter got to grips with the bowling and they closed on 118 as Joe Milner took 5-31.
Fourth-placed Barrowford II also suffered defeat, losing at Sutton by 39 runs. K Brooker made 36 and Craig Thornton 35 in the Royd Hill side’s 146 as Z Tariq took 4-12 and M Iqbal 4-50.

The Bull Holme side then ran into Rob Walker in fine bowling form. He claimed 8-52 off 11.5 overs to set up a fine victory.

Chatburn still head Division Three by seven points. Second-placed Embsay II also made heavy weather of winning at home to nine-man Haworth West End.

D Peel made 34 as the Bronte side were restricted to 81-8, with Jonathan Coward taking 4-32.
The Shires Laners struggled to score runs – epitomised by the experienced Brian Hodgson being bogged down for 69 balls in which he scored just six.

However, Coward loosened the shackles and his 33no helped his side to a four wicket victory.
Sandy Lane look to have recovered some of their early-season form as they saw off Cononley by 108 runs at the Coulthurst Ground.

Mike Dennison (103) and Mark Oldfield (89) helped the Greenwood Park side to 244 with a second-wicket partnership of 167, Willie Naylor battling away to finish with 7-77 off 16 overs.

The hosts had Michael Beer (59) and Naylor (28) to mainly thank for their 136 as J Maghra took 4-48 and A Grace 3-5.

Mathematically Skipton CI are still not champions of Division Four. However it will be necessary for them to lose their remaining games and Cullingworth II win their four remaining games – not impossible but highly unlikely.

CI were at home to Thornton II and, thanks mainly to Martin Seward (52) and Ian Henderson (31) made 183. The visitors were dismissed for 75, with John Drake taking 7-48.

Third-placed Glusburn II went down by eight wickets at home to Airedale II.