SKIPTON Church Institute, leaders of Mewies Solicitors Craven and District League Division Three, suffered their first defeat, as they lost to Embsay II by nine runs.

Caspar Bean (44) helped Embsay to 135-9. In CI’s reply, skipper Martin Chisnall battled bravely to 58 not out. Alan Pickles (4-18) and under-15s' player George Arkwright (3-28) kept a tight rein on the batsmen.

Bingley Congs II are second, level on points with Skipton CI. They entertained Haworth II and enjoyed a seven-wicket victory, as Josh Zenner (5-31) and Tony Teale (50no) were in form.

Riddlesden are third, two points behind the leaders. They travel to Matthew Lane and won by five wickets. Bradley posted 173-5 with Frank Watkinson making 83 and Chris Kimberley 46. In reply, Mohammad Qadeer (59) and Akeel Rashid (30) were the highest scorers as George Bell claimed 3-23.

Mick Brooksbank scored a superb 110 to go with Bryan Freimanis’s 45 as Crossflatts II scored 252-8. Visitors Hepworth & Idle II fell only 32 runs short of their target with Gary Orrell (71) and Phil Haigh (41) leading the way as Ryan Wilkinson (5-49) and Lee Bailey (3-43) battled to keep things under control.

A weakened Oakworth II were no match for Barrowford II in an eight-wicket defeat. Oakworth could only muster 78 going first with Bradley Powell top scoring with 32, as Marc Atkinson claimed 5-16 and Tajmal Hussain 3-21.

Thornton’s Dan Oldfield was in good form as he hit seven sixes and 10 fours in his 96 as his side made 173-4 to take the points from Sutton II. Andy Fountain made 69 and George Blackwell 50 in Sutton's 170-9, as Ian Holden (4-49) and Steve Laycock (3-41) were the leading wicket takers.

Meanwhile, he highlight in Division Four came at Long Lee II. Visitors Foulridge II thumped 373-9 declared with number nine batsman Asrar Sarwar scoring a magnificent 203no which included 26 sixes and nine fours, to go with Abrar Sarwar’s 67 with Matt Mounsey (5-70) sticking to his bowling task. Jan Haider made 33 of the Golden View side's 96 in reply.

Leaders Silsden made 141 on their travels to Airedale with Andrew Pullen (41) top scoring as Warren Coppack took 4-32. Airedale only managed 59 with Tim Crossley scoring 40 of those. Kieran Lawrence (5-24) and Max Worsencroft (3-5) doing most of the damage.

Second-placed Chatburn II are three points behind the leaders. Their entertained Skipton CI II and going first blasted 229-5 in their overs. Phil Parker (76no) and Damian Gupta (46) led the way. In reply the visitors made 127 with Jonathan Sharpe (39) top scoring as Henry Ramboll took 4-37 and Travis Blezard 3-37.

Bingley Congs III entertained Wilsden II and ran out seven-wicket winners. Jonny Teale (5-26) and Yvonne Baines (3-15) restricted the visitors to 67 in 19.4 overs.

Cowling II enjoyed a 87-run victory over Ingrow II up at Hainworth. The visitors posted 153-6 with Afraz Ahmed (63) top scoring. Ingrow could only manage 66 in reply with Dale Hoyle making 21 as Muyassar Hussain claimed 4-6.

Gargrave II managed a two-wicket win over Bradley II. Bradley had five u15s in their ranks and they made 109, with Tony Spensley taking 4-30.

Sadly, Oakworth III were unable to raise a team to travel to Denholme II.

Finally, Glusburn II Alan Coney hit 15 fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 103. He put on 127 for the fifth wicket with Colin Dyson (26).