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Shock defeat puts new spin on title race
Cricket is a funny game! Haworth, next to bottom in the First Division have not won for nine games.
Apart from one tied match with Bradley, they haven't even looked like winning. So imagine the shock when they entertained leaders Cullingworth and knock them off top spot by 31 runs.
Haworth went first and skipper Jamie Rowell played a pivotal innings of 76no which, together with opener Peter Gower, 37, helped his side to 198-5 in their overs. Rowell followed this with 5-76 as he and Richard Godden bowled through with the latter finishing with 4-81, as the visitors were dismissed for 167 in the 42 nd over. Several players got in but nobody scored above 29.
Thornton took advantage of that shock to slip back into top spot thanks to a 30 run victory at Bingley Congs. It was hardly a convincing win as they only managed 120 in their innings with Jason Lockley making 34,
But the Congs crashed to 90 all out with Mark Paxton 5-45 and Richard Craddock 4-27 doing all the damage.
Crossflatts in third placed also went down at home to Sandy Lane in another low scoring game. Chasing 122 they were undone by Ishti Hussain who took 6-45 in a total of 104.
Flatts cling to third spot but are joined on 35 points by Bradley, who rocked Oakworth by 65 runs. Neil Andrews was the backbone of Bradley's innings with 70. Ex Cure Hill man John Duffey snaffled 5-20 as the visitors subsided to 95 all out.
Embsay slip to sixth after they were brushed aside at Cowling by nine wickets. Martyn Dalby took 5-32, Skipper Steve Richardson 3-22 and M Arshad 2-10 as the Shires Laners crumpled to 70 all out. Gareth Frankland scored 35no as Cowling romped home in the 20th over.
Relegated Sutton put up a fair fight before going down by 28 runs in a high scoring game at Glusburn. The Park Field side walloped 253-5 in their overs lead by skipper Mark Price who scored a superb 114no. He and Nas Khan who made 78 put on 194 for the fifth wicket. Sutton replied with a creditable 225-8 with Chris Capstick making 55 and H Shazad 54.
The Second Division promotion places are between Barrowford, Airedale and Cononley.
Leaders Barrowford had another field day as they galloped home by nine wickets at home to Long Lee.
Airedale were another side to enjoy themselves as they smacked 275 off Glusburn II's attack. Matthew Cox scored a magnificent 132no and Alec Pue 43. The visitors closed on 156 with P Schofield making 66 as Nadeem Zaman claimed 4-44 and Phil Broadley 3-22.
Airedale can't afford a slip up as Cononley are lurking just two points behind in third place. They were at Embsay and restricted them to 146 of which 14-year-old Lloyd Davies top scored with 35 as he put on 66 for the first wicket with Alan Robinson, who made 26. Opener Charles Calvert was the backbone of the reply with 50 as the South Craveners got home by three wickets with 10 balls to spare. Simon Holt took 5-56 off 17.2 overs.
Fourth placed Chatburn have an outside mathematical chance of pipping one of the top three to promotion and they did their chances no harm as they visited Haworth Road and won by 16 runs.
Richard Shovelton scored 81 and Andy Lambert 36no as the Ribble Valley side posted 221-8.
Foulridge dragged themselves out of the bottom two by beating Ingrow by 64 runs at Noyna.
Leaders of the Third Division, Pendle Forest appear to have a touch of the jitters on the run to promotion. They have lost their last two games after going down by 70 runs at third placed Skipton CI. Ian Burke 43 and John Drake 8-33 were the stars for the Sandylands side who are only three points adrift of the top two.
Wilsden are second, only on run rate, after crushing Airedale II by 128 runs.
Carleton were in a cavalier mood as they walloped 268-6 in their overs with veteran Neville Allen scoring a fine 103, Iain Bell 63 and Phil Binner 43. Barrowford II replied with 159-9 as Binner and Allen took 4 wickets each.
Ingrow St John's II just managed to keep bottom side Eldwick & Gilstead at bay, winning by the narrow margin of five runs.
Oakworth II beat Haworth WE by two wickets to keep the Bronte side in the relegation fight and Cowling II beat Gargrave.
The first title of the season was decided when Long Lee II beat Wilsden II by 28 runs to become the Fourth Division champions. Stevie Tempest 55 and T Hussain 32 helped the champions to 186 all out. P Sharkey made 36 as the visitors replied with 158. Shabaz Ahmed performed the hat trick in his 6-46.
The other promotion spot is between Haworth Road and Riddlesden, who are separated by just one point. Richard Butterfield's 96 helped Haworth Road to a massive 248-4. Visitors Pendle Forest could only muster 139 in reply.
Riddlesden beat Haworth II by six wickets.
A third attempt to play the Wynn Cup final will be made on Sunday September 16 after a second washout on Sunday. Holders Oakworth and Cullingworth will meet at Cure Hill with a 1pm start.
2:59pm Thursday 6th September 2007
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