Nine games fail to start as rain returns

3:16pm Thursday 9th August 2007

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After last week's excitement of two days cricket without rain, the weather turned on Saturday morning to once again plague cricketers in the Craven League.

Games in the west of the region suffered more than the others, with nine games not starting and another three not getting past the 11 over mark, Division One leaders Thornton visited Oakworth and suffered a chastening 133 run defeat. Oakworth set off like a train and rattled the runs up.

Drew Duffy hit 68 from 42 balls and Steve Hartley hit 93 from 97 balls before being run out. Graham Rankin chipped in with 38 as the total reached 251-5 in the 36th over where a declaration was made.

The Booth Bridge Laners crashed to 118 all out in 26 overs with Rankin taking 5-38 off seven overs and Andy Dawson 3-21 off five overs.

Cullingworth take over at the top after winning by eight wickets at Sutton.

Crossflatts got back to winning ways by entertaining and beating Bingley Congs by two wickets.

The Beckfoot side had first knock and made a creditable 180-7 in their overs with skipper Andrew Copping scoring 60 and A Jennings 42 as Bob Scott took 4-32. The home side reached their target thanks to a super knock of 104 not out by R Ayub.

Haworth's terrible form slump continued on their way to travels to Sandy Lane.

The home side blasted 294-6 with Paul Thomas hitting a superb 118 not out and F Akram 63.

In the Bronte reply only Jamie Rowell with 49 offered much resistance in their innings of 135 all out. Paul Noble finished with 4-36.

Glusburn were enjoying one of their better starts of recent games with 59-0 at home to Cowling when rain stopped play.

Bradley and Embsay didn't even reach the starting line.

The top four in Division Two were all rained off which was a shame as leaders Barrowford were at home to third placed Haworth Road and second place Airedale were entertaining fourth placed Cononley. Fifth placed Chatburn was also affected by the rain up at Foulridge.

Bas Khan (40) and Mick Baxter (45) put on 67 for the first Glusburn II wicket at Long Lee.

This solid base helped them to 208-9 in their overs with Bryan Hollis also scoring 40 not out.

The Keighley side's reply revolved around Paul Stowell who made a magnificent 121 to lead them home by six wickets.

Embsay II were thwarted by the weather at home to Denholme. They had reached 32-1 in 8 overs when play ceased.

Division Three leaders Pendle Forest lost for only the second time this season, losing by 13 runs in a high scoring game at Ingrow St John's II.

M Tariq and M Mansha both made 64 as the Saints scored 221 all out. Then Andy Townsend and Phil Swarbrick both made 36 and S Reed 33 as the Fence fell just short of their target.

Second placed Skipton CI slipped up on their travels to third placed Wilsden.

The home side went first and made 157 with S Wilson scoring a fine 73 as John Stuttard claimed 5-83 and John Drake 4-65.

The Sandylands side were then undone by a splendid piece of bowling by Daniel Hewer who took 8-29 off 12 overs, to have them back in the hut for 83.

The top-of-the-table clash in Division Four went the way of the second placed side Long Lee II who take over at the top by two points.

Haworth Road could only muster 110 in their innings with Martin Burgess making 38 as Shammi Razak took 8-24. Then skipper Jan Haider with 44 guided his side to the spoils by eight wickets.

Bingley Congs II beat Bradley II by 12 runs at Beckfoot.

Cullingworth II beat Cononley II at Roydwood Terrace.

Third placed Chatburn II went down by 46 runs at home to Eldwick & Gilstead II, whilst Foulridge II score a good 15 run win at Denholme II.

Finally Sutton II went down by six wickets at Skipton CI II. Sutton batted first and were dismissed for 127 as Craig Boyd took 4-65 off his 12 overs and M Mason 2-24 off seven. Top scorer for Sutton was C Williams with 34 while G Williams contributed 27.

D Suter junior made the top score of 71 for the winning Skipton side after opener D Suter senior had made 24.

Oakworth seek a cup double Oakworth, like last year, are in with a chance of taking both Craven League cups back to Cure Hill.

On August 19 they tackle Cullingworth in the Wynn Cup - a game they go into as underdogs on this year's league form.

This Sunday Oakworth's second team travel to Glusburn to take on Haworth Road II in what could be a cracking final.

With the advent of their Third XI they have strengthened their hand when picking sides and they have brought on some very good youngsters.

Under the guidance of skipper Steve Powell, who has just broken the appearances record for the club - having overtaken the 290 all matches appearances of David Brunskill - they have enjoyed a mixed season in the league.

He has experienced players around him such as the likes of Simon Howell, Paul McCullough and Lee Hollingsworth as well the promising youth of Jack Ellis, Jack Hainsworth and Brannon Lamb.

Haworth Road II have a good track record in the competition since entering the league in 2004.

In that year they reached the final but only to lose out against Pendle Forest.

In the third round that year, their only clash with Oakworth in the competition came at Cure Hill when they rescued a dire situation to win by three wickets.

In 2006 they reached the semi-finals in which they lost out to Embsay II.

Their captain Les Gudgeon is surrounded by youth and experience, although three senior players will be away on holiday on Sunday.

The game will get underway at 1.30pm.