FOR the third time in as many attempts, Gargrave's first XI topped 200 when play resumed in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League after a fortnight's break.

But for once it was a bowler who took the plaudits for them in their Covid Regional Competition Group E match at home to Bradley.

Chris Lambert led the way with the willow, making 69 and adding 87 for the third wicket with opener Tom Goodwin (32).

Harry McEneaney chipped in with 42 in their 218-6, which followed Gargrave's 271-7 and 248-2 in the opening two weeks.

It was the off-spin of skipper Will Smith that really took the eye, however, as he bagged 7-27 as the visitors were toppled for 106, Toby Meynell completing a fine match for the losers by scoring 42 to follow his 3-52.

Thornton-in-Craven were victorious in the same group, triumphing by six wickets at Oakworth II.

The hosts were indebted to captain Michael Scarborough, whose 41 was the mainstay of their 90-9 as Liam Walker (4-25), David Wolfe (2-8 off eight) and Mark Laycock (2-39) held sway.

The visitors took their time, using 28.4 overs to knock off the runs as opener Laycock anchored the reply against juniors Oliver Bishop (2-11) and Charlie Raby (2-20).

Skipton CI were in more of a hurry against Cononley at Sandylands, winning by 10 wickets in just 17.4 overs, with Rob Cockell making 28 and Martin Seward 30.

Alex Horsfield, backed up well by Danyal Iqbal (2-12), got figures that flattered him slightly, taking 5-5 with his left-arm wrist spin as Cononley were skittled for 69, with only skipper Andrew Starkey (28) proving defiant.

In Group G, Glusburn II were indebted to Noman Hussain (54) and Mohammed Furqan (47no), who put on 109 for the fifth wicket at Bradley II.

That rescued them from 37-4 and enabled them to post 151-6, which proved just enough.

Edson Richmond (2-16) and George Bell (2-26) were among the wickets for Bradley, who replied with 146-9, Bell completing a solid match with 34 and keeper and opener Edward Washington making 33.

Mark Pickles (5-32) and Qasim Dar (2-17) helped Glusburn to turn the tide for from 94-2.

Only three Skipton CI II players made double figures in their 94 at Cowling II, opener Jonathan Sharpe more than doing his bit with 42 in the face of decent bowling by Shahid Khokhar (4-23), Aqib Chatta (2-15) and Qamar Zaman (2-20).

Keeper Steve Dalby (23) and Khokhar (21) then helped the hosts to a six-wicket victory in the 23rd over.

Runs were also hard to come by at Shires Lane, where hosts Embsay II, who were 66-6 at one stage, were dismissed for 119 by Gargrave II, with Caspar Bean (37) and Dominic Kay (29) dominating the home innings.

Ben Wood (4-28), Will Stanley (2-25) and Will Storr (2-38) did the damage with the ball but Gargrave could only make 96-9 in reply, which was a good effort considering that they were 39-7.

Stanley (27) and Wood (26no) completed all-round feats, while Dieter Kayley (17) also gave Embsay the flutters before they confirmed victory, with Paul Wormald (3-23), Jack Kitching (2-14) and Jago Bean (2-26) just giving them the edge.

Bradford League-bound Crossflatts seem intent on going out of the Craven League on a high and they made short work of Cowling in Group B at Ryshworth Park.

Needing 154 for victory, Flatts won by 10 wickets in just 20.2 overs, with keeper James Roper blasting an unbeaten 102 off just 67 balls, including 21 fours.

Harris Hussain wasn't crawling either and his 44 not out took just 53 balls and contained seven fours and a six.

Earlier Cowling had made 153-9, with captain and keeper Martyn Dalby scoring 43 and No 8 Junaid Gulnawaz 33, with Dalby and Yasser Chatta (15) adding 60 for the fourth wicket.

Wasim Hussain (3-33), Alex Bradbury (2-22) and Mohammed Shahnawaz (2-26) helped to keep the score down.

Sutton conceded at home to Barrowford in Group A, while Glusburn had a walkover against Oakworth III in Group F.