THE difference between the bottom and the top of Division Two of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League did not seem that huge on Saturday.

Second-placed Denholme batted first at basement boys Gargrave and made 136 off 38 overs as they recovered from 73-6 against a capable four-strong attack of Stuart Weatherill (3-44), Joe Wood (3-61), Joe Metcalfe (2-14) and John Beckwith (2-16).

Skipper Beckwith made 35 in Gargrave's reply of 121 but they may have regretted having only ten men in such a close finish.

Next-to-bottom Sutton may have lost David Wilkinson early in their Division One match at home to Crossflatts but seemed on for a decent score when fellow opener David Snowden made 83 and Sam Solley, promoted from the second team, 33 at No 4.

However, No 3 Richard Walker (13) was the only other player to reach double figures in their 149-8 off 35 overs, and third-placed Crossflatts knocked them off for the loss of three wickets in just 21.4 overs, young off-spinner Solley taking one of the wickets.

Haworth was the only other place where there was any play in the top flight, and bottom club Foulridge were 7-2 off 5.1 overs when they came off for rain.

Skipton CI were victims of a superb display by home skipper Arnie Raistrick for Eldwick & Gilstead in Division Three.

He only came in at No 9 but top-scored with 30 not out in their 98-9 off 30 overs after they were 49-7, John Stuttard taking 4-24, Sam Smith 3-19 and Darren Pighills 2-18.

Raistrick then took 5-27 as CI were dismissed for 89 in 26.3 overs, opener Stuttard top-scoring with 29.

Cononley are third after opponents Haworth West End, who are bottom, conceded.

Gargrave are propping up Division Four and did not detain hosts Foulridge for long after making 86-6 off their 37 overs, of which Ben Wood contributed 27 not out.

Foulridge reached their target without loss in just 13.5 overs.

The top-of-the-table clash in Division Five was ruined by the weather, with second-placed Sutton 30-2 off 11 overs at leaders Cowling when the heavens opened, Sajid Shafait taking both wickets at a personal cost of seven runs, while Cononley were enjoying themselves at Sandylands when they were interrupted by the weather.

Tom Feather was 33 not out and had added 55 for the first wicket with Antony Rodley (21) as the visitors were 78-1 off 29 overs when rain stopped play.