DESPITE the sudden death of club stalwart Simon Howell on Monday, Oakworth have asked that their Mewies Solicitors Craven League Wynn Cup final against Bingley Congs on Sunday goes ahead at Haworth (1.00).

However, so that the club can show unity and be together at the weekend, they have requested that Sunday's Cowling Cup semi-final at home to Crossflatts be postponed until Sunday, August 16.

The league have complied with both requests. Saturday's league fixtures involving Oakworth are unaffected.

Second-team wicket-keeper Howell, 49, is believed to have suffered a massive heart attack while he was driving to the doctors.

Howell has run the Upper Airedale Junior Association's Joe Lumb team and had been a dedicated servant at the ambitious First Division club.

Oakworth secretary Michael Davison said: "Simon literally spent hundreds of hours at the ground between January and April helping with the fitting out of the clubhouse refurbishment, and he was also on the club's general committee.

"He was the second-team's wicket-keeper and was understudy to Tim Walsh in the first team."

Clubs can hold a minute's silence before Saturday's league matches in memory of Simon if they wish.