IT was definitely a bowler’s day on Saturday after the rain of Thursday and Friday left many pitches in a soft condition.

Next to bottom Cowling were shot out for 54 at the Coliseum by Oakworth, with Ben Howell taking 3-6 and Richard Cavender (3-17) to set up their side’s seven-wicket win.

Sutton’s James Mcdonald (5-50) and Richard Walker (4-25) took advantage at Haworth Road where they dismissed the home side for 77 as their side triumphed by eight wickets.

Joe Holt (54) and Binner (46no) helped Embsay to a three-wicket win over Riddlesden at Shires Lane. The home side chased down a Riddlesden total of 147 which included 71 from Adam Khan. Phil Binner (4-11) and Sam Arkwright (3-52) took the bowling honours of Embsay.

Mohammad Adil hit 76 as leaders Bingley Congs made 227-9 before dismissing Foulridge for 80 with Harry Greenhalgh taking 5-53.

Second placed Crossflatts saw of the challenge of Ingrow St John’s by three wickets and Haworth defeated Denholme by two wickets as Jamie Rowell made 82 and Damian Rowell (41).

at Rhysworth Park. The Saints struggled to 128 against the bowling of Jim O’Hara (4-45) and Mohammed Jamil (3-32). ‘Flatts Freddie Maddocks (36) top scored as Wasim Hussain claimed 3-31.

In third placed, Haworth nearly threw away a game they were strolling to victory. They were 166-3 chasing 168, and then collapsed dramatically to 168-8 before getting over the line. Jamie Rowell (82) and Damian Rowell (41) were the backbone of the innings as Matt Wear took 7-37. Earlier visitors Denholme had Toby Priestley (97) to thank for their 168 as Jamie Rowell took 4-27 and Phil Clayton 3-54.

In the top of the table clash at Hepworth & Idle, the homeside smashed Haworth Road II by 133 runs. Thomas Hawksworth (136) and Jonathan Thompson (73) put on 214 for the second wicket as the Westfield Road side plundered 229-7 in their overs.

Only Charlie Hainsworth (53) offered much resistance as the Baildon Bottom side crumpled to 96 all out with Don Wooller (6-55) and Dave Matthews (3-34) doing the damage. The winners take over top spot whilst the losers drop to third.

In between those two are Wilsden. They entertained Airedale and beat them by 83 runs. The Windy Grove side posted 214 with Dave Henson making 58, Stuart Wilson 48 (7 fours and 2 sixes) and Chris Mitchell 42 (6 sixes) as Wayne Coppack valiantly tried to stem the tide by taking 6-69. Airedale were dismissed for 131 with Scott Ritchie scoring 36.

The day’s best bowling figures came at Barrowford where Abdul Mannan claimed 8-24 as visitors Chatburn were hustled out to 70. The Bull Holme side crept home by 4 wickets as Jonny Lockley took 4-35.

Jake Hoyle (6-43) and Chris Herbert (3-37) helped Oakworth II back to the hut for 145 of which Sam Nettleton made 52. Hoyle (36) and Ben Weatherall 31 helped the Hainworth side to the spoils by 4 wickets.

After last week’s stunning victory over Wilsden, third bottom Division Two side Thornton suffered a two-wicket defeat at Glusburn.

Chasing 133-7 the Park field side hung on for the win with Neil Freeman making 30.Phil Oldfield (5-61) and Mark Laycock (3-27) bowled well for Wilsden.

Neil Andrews (56) and Michael Clarkson (30) were the main contributors to Bradley’s 183-9 up at Ingrow St John’s as Irfan Maqsood took 5-50.

Qazi Faraz Khan (74no) and Abdul Dyan Qazi (50no) took the Saints to a three-wicket win despite the efforts of Andy Holmes (6-56).

Division Three leaders Cononley made light work of visitors Bingley Congs II. The Beckfoot Lane side made 126 as Joel Grainger took 3-17 and Harry Parker 3-24. Andrew Starkey (79no) helped secure an eight-wicket win for his side.

Sandy Lane are just one point behind after beating Skipton CI by 70 runs at Greenwood Park. Tahir Rasheed (49) top scored as the home side made 164 despite Sam Smith taking 6-55.

The Sandylanders were hustled out for 94 with Mohammed Ishtiaq taking 3-9 and Arfan Ul Haque (3-26).

Third-placed Long Lee crashed to their second successive defeat at home to Gargrave, losing by nine wickets.

The Golden View side perished for 104 as Stu Weatherall took 4-31 and Joe Wood (3-21). Will Smith (43 no)and John Beckwith (36) put on 72 for the first wicket in the successful chase.

There were five ducks in Haworth II 83 all out at Sutton II in Division 4A. Stuart Tillotson (35) led Sutton to a five-wicket win.

In the basement battle, Oakworth III got the better of eight-man Glusburn II by 49 runs at Bronte Field.

Division 4 B leaders Skipton CI II had struggled to see off nine-man Wilsden II by three wickets. Mark Jagger (47no) saw the visitors to 75-8 as Sohail Choudrey took 4-32).

Ingrow II overcame Cononley II by 46 runs up at Hainworth while Gargrave are third after beating Long Lee II by 48 runs.

Cononley made 143-7 with Tony Spensley scoring 70. Then, Ray Jones took 3-11 as Ingrow collapsed to 95 all out. Jones started his Craven League cricket career at Gargrave 60 years ago.