RAIN may have arrived four hours later than expected but it still put paid to the Mewies Solicitors Craven League's inaugural Twenty20 Cowling Cup finals day at Denholme.

Haworth Road II and Bradford & Bingley III both progressed to the final, but it was abandoned five overs into Haworth Road's innings after the Wagon Laners had made 168, with the Baildon Bottom side on 32-0 after five overs.

The match will be replayed on Sunday, August 13, again at Denholme (11am).

Considering the overnight rain, the wicket, protected by covers, was in reasonably good shape beforehand, albeit a bit green and a little bit soft.

The first semi-final was between Division Two leaders Haworth Road II and Fourth Division Cononley II.

The Baildon Bottom side won the toss and elected to bat, amassing 174-4 with Matt Hall (58 not out, including five fours and three sixes) and Cowling Cup specialist Shahid Mahmood (45, including two fours and four sixes) putting on 76 for the fourth wicket, Rob Greenwood also contributing 40 as Harry Parker (2-46) was the best bowler.

Two overs from Herbie Starkey, which cost 32, proved costly in the end, but Cononley II then had a real good go, led by Charles Calvert (74 not out, including two fours and five sixes) Starkey (34) and Parker (28no) they got within 16 runs of their target, Hall finishing with 2-47.

The other semi-final was between Bradford & Bingley III and Embsay II, who brought their poor league form into the game and went down by 50 runs.

The Wagon Laners' innings was dominated by Andy Dobson, who smote ten fours and six sixes in a superb knock of 101, which included 29 off one over from the experienced Stephen Speak.

The next highest score was 18 by Shahbaz Ahmed, and the best bowling came from veteran Nev Allan (3-19), but several dropped catches didn’t help their cause.

In the reply of 108, the big guns went cheaply and the rest of the batters struggled to find the boundary.

The innings closed with a whimper on 108-5, with Brian Hodgson (29no) and skipper Robin Youngman (19no) putting on 25 for the sixth wicket in four-and-a-half overs.

Earlier Bob Bateman had battled to 21 in 25 balls.

The best bowler was Farhan Khalid, who took 2-17 off his four overs.

On Sunday, the Manorlands Plate T20 competition takes place at Oakworth CC (10am).

The invited teams are Crossflatts (Division One champions) Bingley Congs (Wynn Cup holders), Ingrow St John's (Manorlands Plate holders) and Hepworth & Idle (Division Two champions).

The following Sunday it is the Wynn Cup final between Barrowford and Denholme at Bradley CC (1pm).