Craven Cricket League
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Top two look set for final day title showdown
WITH just three weeks to go the end of the season, it's tight at the top of the Mewies Solicitors Craven Cricket League.
Leaders Cullingworth maintain a single point advantage over second placed Thornton - and it could all come down to the last day when the two meet at Thornton.
Before then, Cullingworth have a match at Haworth away and Bingley Congs at home, while Thornton hvae two away games - at Bingley Congs and Embsay.
Cullingworth stay on top by virtue of a solid performance against third bottom Cowling at Roydwood Terrace.
Aussie Dave Cavanagh was again the foundation of Cullingworth's innings as he made 82 out of 237-9. The middle order failed to function again before George Fletcher, 48, and Phil Poole, 24, led a late charge to get the score they closed on. M Ashard was the best bowler, taking 6-54 off 18 overs.
Only two players reached double figures in the disappointing reply of 95. Steve Mitchell made 49 and S Hussain 31 as Dave Robinson 5-37 and Dave Hall 4-20 sent the visitors packing.
Cowling have a five point gap over next to bottom Haworth, who came away empty handed at Thornton.
The hosts rattled up 221-5 in their overs with Scott Hudson making 48, Mark Procter 46no, Rob Foster 46 and Richard Craddock 35. The Bronte side could only manage 157 in reply.
Of the early batsmen, only Jamie Rowell with 35 offered much resistance. It was left to Anthony Godden 36 and his brother Richard 29 who put on 58 for the eighth wicket, to bring some respectability to the total. Mark Paxton finished with 4-65 and Richard Craddock 3-40.
The game between third and fourth, Crossflatts and Oakworth, went the way of the former who won by 46 runs at Cure Hill. The ever dependable Mick Brooksbank made 85 as Flatts rattled up 211. Two of the younger stars at Oakworth took eight of the wickets to fall. Jack Ellis took 4-50 and Scott Hartley 4-64. Hartley also top scored for Oakworth with 63 not out in a reply of 165 - a great improvement on their terrible start of 5-4 off 5 overs..
Bingley Congs made 179 on their visit to Embsay thanks mainly to Neil Copping's 77. Scott Robinson bowled through to finish with 5-68.
After losing a wicket to the third ball of the reply, skipper Simon Bailey set about steering his side to the points for the loss of four wickets with 15 balls to spare. He made 86 which along with Rob Bateman's 56 not out set up the victory.
Glusburn's Steve Filkin 6-33 helped Sandy Lane back to the hut for a modest 119 at Greenwood Park. F Akram made 43 no and extras added 20. The visitors didn't fair well either slumping to 77 all out with Ishti Hussain taking 6-24 off 10 overs.
Bottom side Sutton entertained Bradley, who made 208-6 in their innings. Neil Andrews with 73 led the way and John Hillary made 48 as David Snowden took 5-36 off 8 overs. James Heseltine mesmerised Sutton with his spin and he finished with 8-38 off 14 overs as they slumped to 84 all out, 53 of them coming from Chris Capstick.
The leaders of Division Two, Barrowford could have clinched promotion had they not gone down by 31 runs at third placed Cononley. Charles Calvert made 40 as the home side made 158-7 in their overs. Barrowford could only manage 127 in reply with G Boyes making 43 as Matt Town took 5-65 and Colin Stead 4-58.
Airedale closed to within four points after their journey up the hill to tackle Ingrow St John's proved to be fruitful despite slumping from 98-1 to 124. The Saints were never in the picture and slumped to 73 all out with J Richardson taking 5-11 in six overs.
Waj Mahmood made a superb 112no as Haworth Road smashed 247-6 on their visit to Glusburn II, with Tom Rhodes chipping in with 39. Glusburn's second side were then dismissed for 97.
Fifth placed Chatburn slipped up at home to lowly Denholme, losing by 13 runs.
Ingrow made their position in the division safe after they beat 10 man visitors Embsay II by six wickets. Anthony Davies top scored with 29 as Embsay could only make 126-9 in their innings. Dale Hoyle finished with 4-30 and Ian Herbert 3-24. Hoyle followed this with 46 to set up the successful chase, with Nick Hoyle making 43no.
Foulridge must have had thoughts in lifting themselves out of the next to bottom slot on their travels to Long Lee. They blasted a mammoth 257-7 in their innings with Pete Wilson hitting a magnificent 171no. He followed this with 4-46 off 11 overs but couldn't prevent the Keighley side snatching the points by two wickets with just three balls to spare. Richard Ayrton made 92 and Shabaz Ahmed 48 for the winners.
Pendle Forest are nearly back into the higher division after beating Oakworth II in Division Three - one more win will secure their promotion.
They made 162-7 with Andy Townsend being run out on 49 and Mark Holdsworth making 40no as Ian Jackson took 5-56 off 22 overs. Oakworth were dismissed for 87 with Townsend, Furqan, and Ken Halstead taking three wickets each.
The other promotion spot looks to be between Wilsden and Skipton CI. The former have a three point advantage at the moment after beating Cowling II by five wickets.
Meanwhile Skipton CI scored 146-8 at home to Barrowford II. John Carlisle hit 36no, T Simpson 36 and Ian Burke 33. The Bull Holme side replied with 117-9 as the mercurial Mel Mason took 4-28.
Ingrow St John's II are fourth after a 20 run victory over Airedale at Bradford Road.
Carleton put paid to Haworth WE mini-revival in emphatic style. They smashed 334-7 with M Sohail scoring a fine 148 and Phil Binner 90. The Bronte side replied with 184 as Binner took 5-55.
Bottom side Eldwick and Gilstead nearly pulled off an unexpected win when they went down by just two runs against Gargrave at Dick Hudson's. Taz Malik 90 and T Cowburn 42 helped the nine man visitors to 187-8. R Unsworth scored 62 and M Roach 44 as the homesters fell agonizingly short. Cowburn took 5-43 for the winners.
Division Four leaders, Long Lee confirmed their promotion after travelling to and beating Bradley in a low scoring game. Ian Clarkson took 7-34 to hustle the Keighley side out for just 69. But Bradley were then shot out for just 43 as Has Haider claimed 6-15 and Mohammed Urfan 3-13.
Wilsden II defeat at home to Sandy Lane II by four wickets confirmed their relegation to the lowest division next season. Haworth walloped visitors Thornton II by 10 wickets.
Leaders of Division Five, Haworth WE II, slumped to their second defeat of the season and lost top spot. Tinashe Gomwe took all 10 wickets for 42 at Ramper Park as Glusburn III were restricted to 121. Sadly for him he ended up on the losing as the Bronte team crashed to 60 all. M Johnstone taking 6-33 and S Wright 4-22.
Cullingworth II go top after a crushing six wicket victory at Skipton CI II.
All League matches start at 1.30pm from this week
A second attempt at the Wynn Cup final starts at 1pm at Oakworth CC, Cullingworth v Oakworth on Sunday.
2:50pm Thursday 30th August 2007
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