Rain decimates cricket programme

3:17pm Thursday 23rd August 2007

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For the umpteenth time this season rain ravaged play in the Craven League with all but three games failing to reach a conclusion.

In the First Division, second placed Thornton had reached 40-1 at Cowling when play was curtailed.

Glusburn and Oakworth made starts against Crossflatts and Sutton respectively but play ended after five overs in both matches.

Sutton's result confirms their relegation to the Second Division. There was no play elsewhere in the division.

Chatburn in the far west reaches of the league managed to conclude their game against Glusburn II in the Second Division. The visitors were restricted to 114-8 in their overs with skipper Alan Coney making 47no as Andy Booth took 4-36 off 20 overs.

Dave Lakin 60no and Paul Craig 31 helped the Ribble Valley side to the spoils by five wickets in the 32nd over.

Leaders Barrowford had laid a solid platform, 111-0, against lowly Embsay II when the game was abandoned. David Hartley had made 56no and Neil Hargreaves 48no.

Third Division leaders Pendle Forest were struggling at 95-6 in their derby game with Barrowford II when stumps were drawn.

Elsewhere Ingrow St John's II were 71-1 against Cowling II and Haworth WE 12-0 off 5 overs.

In the Fourth Division eight man Haworth went down by six wickets to nine man Bingley Congs at Beckfoot. J Dyson 35, Damian Bailey 30no and Colin Williamson 22 made useful contributions to the Bronte side's 125-7.

The home side opened with 83 for the first wicket with Alan Broadbent making 65 to set up the comfortable victory in the 20th over.

Gargrave's Ray Jones, who holds the record for the most wickets in a season, took 6-28 which included the hat-trick as visitors Riddlesden were dismissed for 104. S Ali made 35 for the visitors as youngster Will Stanley took 3-33. The home side romped home by eight wickets with G Jones making 57no.

With that match finishing second placed Cullingworth II received three points after opponents Pendle Forest III were unable to raise a side.

This is very ironic because three weeks ago Cullingworth II were incensed with Gargrave II when they called off their game because the ground was unfit, which also necessitated the moving of a Wynn Cup semi-final to another ground.

They sent a complaint to the League Committee, claiming Gargrave had acted against the rules of the League by calling the game off on a Friday. This despite the fact that Cullingworth II's captain had agreed to the call off. The upshot was that the League Committee decided that both teams should get a point each.

The Wynn Cup final was scheduled for Sunday but it soon became apparent that there would be no play possible between Cullingworth and Oakworth at Oakworth. The game was called off about 10.30am. Another attempt to play the game will take place on Sunday, September 2, with a 1pm start.