GARGRAVE, playing their first competitive match since September 21 last year, certainly made up for lost time when the Mewies Solicitors Craven League finally resumed play.

Despite matches being only 35 overs per side to allow for hygiene breaks every six overs, they rattled up an impressive 271-7 at Thornton-in-Craven in Covid Cup Group E.

John Beckwith (79) and Ted Wilman (28) made Thornton skipper Ian Holden regret putting the visitors in, and their momentum was carried on by Matt Simpson (63), Lee Barrett (38) and Will Smith (27) as Joe Wolfe (5-62) was a loan wolf among the bowlers.

Only two players then made double figures for the hosts after 'tea' as they were skittled for 70, with Ben Howlett (4-25), Harry McEneaney (2-17) and man-of-the-match Beckwith (2-0) cashing in.

If it was excitement that you wanted, then look no further than Wide Lane where visitors Skipton CI won by two wickets against Oakworth II off the penultimate ball.

Home skipper Michael Scarborough led from the front for his team, making 44 not out in their 147-7, adding 72 for the sixth wicket with Steve Powell (37) after Azhar Iqbal (4-12) had dismissed the top four.

CI were indebted to Martin Chisnall (42), Ian Henderson (30), computer wizard Martin Seward (23) and Sam Smith (20) as they just reached their target, despite Charlie Raby (4-37) and Scarborough (2-26) in a game that was umpired by two league secretaries - Terry Thompson (Upper Airedale Junior Cricket Association) and Peter Foster (Craven League).

Runs were hard to come by for both teams at Matthew Lane, where the combined total was only 216.

Cononley had first dibs and made 125 as Vince Grant (4-34), Toby Meynell (3-36) and Tom Eaglesfield (2-9) enjoyed their work with the ball, with Herbie Starkey (29) and Scott Brook (28) the most defiant.

Starkey then got to work after the innings break, taking 5-16 as Bradley were castled for 91, with Harry Parker (2-17) and Lewis Fitton (2-22) able deputies, Meynell completing a solid match with 29.

Gargrave II's eyes were also in when it came to batting as they made 209-9 at home to Bradley II in Group G.

Tony Spensley was the first man to post a century this season, making 103, including eight fours and seven sixes, as the home side breezed to 209-9, helped by 37 from opener Tom Goodwin.

Matt Buckmaster did his best for the visitors, scoring 34 to go with his 2-13, but they never threatened to mount a winning run chase as they stumbled to 97-7 against Stuart Weatherill (2-7) and Will Storr (2-18).

Two batsmen dominated proceedings at Shires Lane, with Jago Bean scoring 46 for hosts Embsay II and Yasser Chatta replying with 48 not out for Cowling II.

Bean's knock provided almost half of Embsay II's 98 as Junaid Gulnawaz (4-19) and Aqib Chatta (3-17) held sway.

Chatta then hit five fours and three sixes as Cowling won by five wickets, despite Paul Wormald (2-23) and George Arkwright (2-26).

Matt Ryder was the dominant figure for Skipton CI II against Glusburn II at Sandylands.

He took 3-21 in the visitors' 95, backed up by Sefal Allam (3-18) and Darren Pighills (2-25) as Simon Frost (32) and Dom Mortimer (30) each hit three boundaries.

Ryder then scored 34 not out at No 7 to guide his team to a three-wicket success, although Cody Hird (4-19) and Mortimer (2-22) made things difficult.

In Group F, Sutton II made short work of 10-man Oakworth III at Haworth West End, winning by eight wickets.

Only skipper Keith Gilert (29) reached double figures as the third strings were toppled for 62, the best of the visitors' nine bowlers being Alistair Wallace (3-3), Nathan Coventry (2-4) and Mark Stoneman (2-23).

Matthew Lloyd soon hit his straps for Glusburn at Park Field, hitting 11 fours and a six in an unbeaten 65 as the home side cantered to an eight-wicket win over Haworth II.

The visitors were 40-5 but Darren Ellerton (33) and Jacob Hudson (21) helped them to 107-7 after Irfan Khaliq (3-13) got among the wickets.

Lloyd put on 74 with fellow opener Iain Beattie (17) and was joined by Pete Schofield (25no) as the modest target was reached.

In Group B, Ingrow conceded to Cowling, while there were no matches in Group A as Barrowford I v Silsden and Foulridge v Barrowford II were cancelled.