AFTER the snow of Thursday and Friday it was a surprise to see so many matches played in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League.

Embsay, who beat champions Oakworth in their opening game, were unable to continue the winning momentum as they suffered a three-wicket defeat at Denholme.

Haroon Ali gave them hope with a superb 100 which helped them post a score of 166, but after reducing the home side to 82-6, Richard Taylor (45no) and Hussnain Ali (22no) steered Denholme home.

Ajmal Choudhry was in good form as Cowling recorded a six-wicket win at Foulridge. He took 3-34 as the home side were dismissed for 94 and made an unbeaten 45 to steer his side to victory.

Champions Oakworth went down to their second successive defeat as they lost to Haworth in a low scoring 40 over game.

The Bronte side made 139-8 with Jamie Rowell hitting nine fours and three sixes in his 78bas Joel Fothergill took 4-27 and Adam Smith (3-32). The Cure Hill side fell 11 runs short of their target. Matty Lee top scored with 33 as Richard Ellis took 4-44 and Charlie Shimmin and Rowell picked up three wickets each.

Bradley were dismissed for 101 in their Division Two home game with Wilsden. James Heseltine made 52 and Dipesh Mistry took 5-18. Steve Wright (31no) guided Wilsden to their six-wicket win.

Oakworth II’s Jordan Powell was in the runs again. This week he slammed six sixes and two fours in his 65 which helped his side to 167 despite 5-30 from Andy Booth and 3-53 from Jonny Lockley. Ollie Stell took 4-9 in five overs to whip Airedale out for just 99.

Charlie Hainsworth scored the day’s highest score, 115, and Robert Greenwood chipped in with 45 as Haworth Road II rattled up 222-5 against the nine men of Ingrow St John’s II. The Saints made a commendable 175-8 with Naeem Ali (59no) and Muhammad Asim (37) top scoring.

Hepworth & Idle were in fine form over in West Craven. Thornton made 187 with Daniel Oldfield hitting nine fours and ten sixes in a splendid 112. It took the visitors only 31.1 overs to reach their target with Tom Hawksworth scoring 92 and David Goodaire (35).

Gargrave scrapped home by two wickets at home to the nine men of Eldwick & Gilstead. The visitors made 125 with Michael Brodigan making 52 as John Beckwith took 3-7. Harry McEneaney top scored with 31 as Arnie Rastrick took 3-34.

Long Lee’s trip to Sandylands proved to be fruitful as they won by 45 runs against Skipton CI. Matt Taylor made 38, Lee Humphreys (36) and Steve Butterfield (33) as Sam Smith took 5-47 in his 15 overs.

Skipton CI stumbled to 65-8 before No 9 John Stuttard made 37 to go with the earlier effort of 35 from Ian Burke to get their side to 106. For the victors Shabaz Armed took 4-19 and veteran Jamie Robinson (3-17).

Riddlesden II won a 25 overs a side contest at Crossflatts II by 11 runs. They posted 104-6 with Shehryar Hussain and Steve McGarry both scoring 30 as Charlotte Boulton claimed 3-25. The Rhysworth Park side's Austin Smith scored 59 of their 93 as Imran Mehrban took 3-16.

Barrowford II entertained Oakworth III and ran out winners by eight wickets in Division Four. Oakworth could only manage 76 as Arsalaan Ali took 3-4 and Usman Ahmed (3-9). Barrowford galloped home in the 14th over.

In a 25 over per side match at Hepworth & Idle II, visitors Sutton II were restricted to 88-4. The Westfield Laners stormed home by nine wickets.

Haworth II amassed 156 in Bronte Lane with Neil Rollin making 59 and Steve Bainbridge (33). Airedale II won by two wickets with Joe Milner hitting 62.

Sandy Lane II beat Chatburn II by 55 runs at Greenwood Park. while Glusburn II suffered a 137-run defeat at the hands of Foulridge II.

Foulridge rattled up the day’s highest score, 227-9 with Zain Abbas making 78 as Bryan Hollis took 4-47. The home side were brushed aside for just 90 with Alan Coney scoring 40 as Tamoor Munir claimed 4-35