Double title delight for Oakworth but relegation battle goes to last day (From Craven Herald)

Double title delight for Oakworth but relegation battle goes to last day

10:54am Thursday 8th September 2011 in Craven League

Oakworth enjoyed a double celebration on Saturday as their teams clinched the Division One and Division Three championships.

And at last Cononley gained their first win of the season in the top flight at their 21st attempt.

Oakworth secured the Division One title with an emphatic 92-run win over Thornton.

Paul Spragg (62) and Lewis Wrathall (69no) defied the efforts of Thornton’s young paceman Jack Laycock (5-49) as they led their side to 189-8.

Adam Smith (5-24) and Matt House (4-27) then bowled out Thornton for 97 to spark the celebrations.

Second-placed Cullingworth were involved in a real battle against Bingley Congs which they eventually won by three wickets.

Congs collapsed from 63-1 to 93 all out as Graham Rankin took 5-11, but Cullingworth also found runs hard to get and Steve Welch’s unbeaten 36 finally got them home with 13 balls to spare.

Billy Pinder took 6-62 and Scott Brook (4-57) as bottom side Cononley bowled out Barrowford for 175.

The South Craveners galloped to an eight-wicket win with Charles Calvert (85no) Herbie Starkey (49) and Andy Starkey (31no) leading the way.

There was drama elsewhere as Cowling dropped into the bottom two after suffering a last-ball defeat against Haworth Road.

Cononley made 179 thanks largely to Hassan’s 50, and had their rivals struggling at 118-4, before Rodwell (65no) saw them home.

Bradley boosted their survival hopes by beating Haworth by two-wickets with four balls to go.

Casper Bean hit an unbeaten 33 to see his side home after they had slipped to 163-8 in reply to Haworth’s 187.

There was a tie at Shires Lane where Embsay needed ten to win off the last over with the last pair at the wicket to beat Crossflatts.

Jonathan Coward took 6-71 as Crossflatts were bowled out for 174, then Duncan Ward hit (57) to rally his side before the last-wicket pair forced the tie which could prove crucial to their survival hopes.

Division Two champions Aire- dale, were made to fight hard for their six-wicket win over already relegated Embsay II.

The Shires Laners compiled 190-9 with Brian Hodgson making an unbeaten 78. Airedale took until the 39th over to seal victory.

The second promotion spot is between Sutton and Ingrow.

Sutton’s hopes dimmed when they were bowled out for 62 at Wilsden as they suffered a nine-wicket defeat.

Ingrow went second following their 42 run victory over Riddles- den, while Foulridge avoided the drop after chasing down Glusburn’s total of 237-9.

Oakworth II wrapped up the Division Three title with a ten-wicket win over Haworth Road II.

Ingrow St John’s had to settle for the runners up spot after a 52-run defeat by Skipton CI. John Drake (6-24) and John Stuttard (4-37) bowled out Saints for just 72.

Haworth WE are third after seeing off bottom side Cononley II by three wickets at Penistone Park and Denholme are fourth after beating Gargrave by six wickets.

Next to bottom Glusburn II travelled to Crossflatts II and came away with the points.

Going first they rattled up 215-6 with Karl Samson making 76no and Steve Brown (45). The home side replied with 177.