CRAVEN LEAGUE Division Three leaders Cononley had to be at their best as they recorded a 24-run victory over Bingley Congs II at Beckfoot Lane.

The South Craven side saw Andrew Starkey (85) and Tom Feather (89) put on 181 for the fifth wicket as they posted 244-6.

The home side strained every sinew to match that score but closed on 220. Dave Tarren (53) and Josh Zenner (37) were the main contributors as Joel Grainger (4-38) and Anthony Haigh (4-53) stuck to their task with the ball.

In a game that lasted only 19.4 overs, second-placed Gargrave held the aces as they blasted visitors Bradley out for a paltry 22. Ben Rhodes (7-10) and Stuart Weatherill (3-10) were the demon bowlers. The Skipton Road side took 4.1 overs to reach their target for the loss of two wickets.

The bowlers were on top at Bradford & Bingley III. The home side were restricted to 97 with Nigel Jones (5-22) and Mohammad Waqas (4-16) doing the damage. Ten-man visitors Barrowford II were down and out at 68-8 before skipper Waqas (26no) dragged them over the line. Farhan Khalid (3-26) and Shahbaz Ahmed (3-31) just failed to get that last wicket.

Thornton are struggling to come to terms with life in the division as they went down by seven wickets at home to Eldwick & Gilstead. Kevin Pollard made 79no of his side's 125-9. Then Tom Coneely (46) and Stephen Timperley (40no) took the visitors to the spoils.

Riddlesden II made 192-8 at Shires Lane with Ibrar Ali (61) and Gulzreen Ashraf (36no) putting on 82 for the eighth wicket as George Maloney took 3-51. Embsay II were wobbling at 100-5 before Bob Bateman (66no) and skipper Robin Youngman (35) put on 88 for the sixth wicket to set up a four-wicket win.

Skipton CI received three points when Sandy Lane II were unable to raise a team.

Division Four leaders Sutton enjoyed a 56-run victory at Chatburn. Stuart Tillotson (46) helped the Royd Hill side to 160-8. The Ribble Valley side replied with 104 with Henry Rumboll (31) and extras (21) being the main contributors as Dan Hanson claimed 4-26.

There was a terrific finish at Hepworth and Idle where Haworth held on for a narrow six-run win in a high-scoring game. The Bronte side hit 232-7 with Will Yildiz (50no), Neil Rollins (47) and Adrian Ratcliffe (40) being the main contributors as Gary Orrell took 3-36.

John McDermott (41) and Nigel Poustie (126) set up the chase with 110 for the first wicket. The latter was still there when the last ball of the game arrived with six needed to tie the game. Sadly he was bowled and the spoils went back to Haworth.

Wilsden walloped the day’s highest score (314-5) when they entertained Bingley Congs III. Neil Jagger (81), Gareth Wright (72) and Harrison Houldsworth (52no) enjoyed the run feast. Jamie Teale made 54 for the visitors as closed on 111 with Harry Davis taking 5-46.

Cowling II had too much firepower on their visit to Denholme II, winning by 119 runs. Ajmal Choudhry (55), Zahid Shafait (48no) and Alfie Brear (44no) saw the Coliseum side to 220-4. Only skipper Michael Dennison (62) offered much resistance as the home side closed on 101-8.

Long Lee II (154-9) scraped home by one wicket at Cononley II (150). Paul Hogg (68 and 3-13) was the star for the homesters while Craig Pullen (49no) Jack Kennedy (4-33) and Russell Hogg (3-28) did the business for the winners.

Nine-man Ingrow II pulled off a fine victory at home to Gargrave, who made 175 with Tony Spensley top-scoring with 38 as Tony Hodgson took 3-37 and Ryan Higgs 3-38. Ben Weatherill hit a superb 94no to see the Hainworth side over the line by five wickets.

Skipton CI II must have been quietly confident of defending 202-8 but it didn’t work out that way as visitors Foulridge triumphed by six wickets at Sandylands. Will Shuttleworth (50no) and Thomas Carlisle (43) were the main contributors for CI, while Ummar Farooq (96no) and Faraz Ahmed (39) set up victory with 96 for the fourth wicket.

Airedale II went down by three wickets at Crossflatts II and Bradley fared better with the bat than their first team but still lost by eight wickets at home to Glusburn II.

Silsden gained three points when Oakworth III were unable to raise a side.