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Another twist to the title race
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| Sutton's Chris Capstick hit 65 against Crossflatts. |
There was another twist in the First Division title race on Saturday as leaders Thornton lost and Cullingworth won to go back to the top. At the other end - possibly the shock of the season - Haworth lost and are relegated.
Thornton travelled to Shires Lane and were dismissed for 130 with Kev Pollard making 42 and Marc Procter 35. The home side's skipper, Simon Bailey claimed 5-23 off 7.4 overs. Embsay got home by seven wickets in the 39th over with Bailey hitting ten fours and a six in his 70 not out.
Meanwhile Cullingworth were entertaining Bingley Congs and saw them post a very creditable 225-7 in their overs with Andy Jennings top scoring with 54 and Chris Hemsley scoring 39 as Gareth Marshall took 4-98 off 14 overs. The visitors attack was then savaged as the home side scorched to a nine-wicket victory 9.4 overs to spare. Steve Welch made 57 in an opening stand of 145 with Dave Cavanagh who went on to score a magnificent 120 not out as the leadership was recovered.
This sets up the title race very nicely as Thornton entertain Cullingworth on Saturday, the last day of the season.
Crossflatts are third after a good win at Sutton. Chris Capstick 65, Johnny Wilkinson 42 and H Shazad 34 helped the home side to 196-7 in their innings. R Ayub was the best bowler with 3-44. Ayub then swung the game with the bat as he blasted 115 not out to take his side to the spoils by five wickets.
Bradley, who have enjoyed one of their best seasons for a while, saw off visitors Glusburn by 35 runs. James Heseltine 76 and 4-42 was the star for the winners whilst Karl Samson made 49 for the Park Field side.
Relegation for Haworth was confirmed when they went down by four wickets in a low-scoring game at Cowling. Peter Gower made 40 as the Bronte side were dismissed for 105. Simon Spencer, M Arshad and Martyn Dalby took three wickets apiece. Dalby then made 38 not out in the successful reply with Richard Godden taking 4-66.
Barrowford are the champions of the Second Division following their narrow 11 run victory at Foulridge. Skipper Liam Roberts made 72 as the Bull Holme side scored 199-6.
The Noyna side, who are next to bottom, made a brave effort to reached their target but Mark Atkinson's 5-47 ensured they were kept in check.
The second promotion spot is between Airedale and Cononley who both enjoyed victories this week.
Airedale were along the valley at Haworth Road and came away with three points after winning by four wickets with J Perry 4-17 and Matt Cox 32 being their best performers. Stan Kaznowski made 61 for the Baildon Bottom side.
Cononley were also away - at Ingrow - and posted 227-9 in their overs with Mark Paynter top scoring with 56 and extras contributing 33. The Keighley side made 198 in reply with Aide Parker, in the runs again, with 85 and extras this time adding 35.
Glusburn II won but still suffered relegation. They were at home to Denholme who scored 215-7 with David Wear 78 and Rob Taylor 33 putting on 73 for the first wicket. Kev Hird took 4-61 and Rummy Smith 3-34. The Park Field side got home by three wickets with Alan Coney scoring a belligerent 46 and Bryan Hollis 42 not out and Smith 17 not out putting on 71 for the eighth wicket. That defeat puts Denholme in to the group of four teams fighting to stay in the division.
They have 22 points the same as Embsay II who travelled to Long Lee and pulled off a fine 54-run victory. David Robinson made a savage 63 not out to go with his son Nathan's unbeaten 39 and 14-year-old Lloyd Davies' 38. Mark Day took all four wickets to fall for 68 runs. Opener Richard Wilkinson made 48 and Paul Swindlehurst 35 as the Keighley side made 159 with Zafar Iqbal taking 7-67 off 19 overs.
The Third Division title and promotion are still up for grabs with three teams involved. Pendle Forest recovered some of their winning form to condemn Haworth WE to relegation. The Bronte side were hustled out for 97 with old warhorse Ken Halstead rolling back the years to take 7-29 off 16.5 overs. The skipper Andy Townsend made 58 no as the Fence side strolled home by eight wickets.
Three points behind the top two are Skipton CI who could still spoil the party for them, if one of them slips up. CI's derby game with Carleton at Sandylands proved to be more one sided than expected. The home side made 207-8 going first with Paul Mason topscoring with 61. Then John Drake 6-27 and Craig Boyd 3-35 had the Ramper Park side back in the hut for just 70.
Joining Haworth WE in the fourth division will be Eldwick & Gilstead who crashed at home to Cowling II by 23 runs in a low scoring game.
Other results in the division saw Oakworth II go down by four wickets to eight-man Barrowford II, and Gargrave were thumped by Airedale II who won by 156 runs.
The Fifth Division title will also be decided on the last Saturday after second placed Haworth WE II beat leaders Cullingworth II by 12 runs in a high scoring game at Penistone Park. Haworth WE II are at Chatburn II and Cullingworth II entertain Denholme II in the last game.
The Bronte side will not go up to the fourth division after their senior side had relegation to that division confirmed. Moving up will be Chatburn II who crashed by six wickets against Glusburn III at Ramper Park with Mark Johnston taking 6-23 for the winners.
Denholme II made 222 at home to Skipton CI II. Katie Briggs took 4-31 as the Sandylands side were dismissed for 51.
Gargrave II's 15-year-old J Beckwith's 3-20 and 13 year-old Will Stanley had Foulridge II in a tiz as they were shot out for 56. The Skipton Road side lost five wickets reaching their target.
Cononley II received three points when Sutton II were unable to raise a side.
1:25pm Thursday 13th September 2007
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