CRAVEN LEAGUE Division Three leaders Cononley recorded a comfortable 50-run win at Barrowford II.

The South Craven Side posted 171-8 with Andrew Starkey (44) and Cameron Knowles (40) leading the way as Arsalaan Ali took 5-24. Knowles then claimed 4-19 as the Bull Holme side closed on 121-9.

Embsay II are second after they won by seven wickets at Sandy Lane II. Mazhar Shah (50no) top-scored as the Greenwood Park side scored 136 with Stephen Speak taking 4-18 and Simon Holt 3-56. Alan Pickles (59) and George Maloney (33) put on 97 for the second wicket to help their side to the spoils.

Shahbaz Ahmed made a super 102no as Bradford & Bingley III totalled 202-5 at Wagon Lane. Riddlesden replied with 154 with Steve Kernan making 67 as Dave Critchlow claimed 4-16.

The battle of the two sides relegated from Division Two last year, Bradley and Thornton, went the way of the former by six wickets. Marc Laycock (44no) top scored as the Booth Bridge Laners made 151-8 with James Heseltine spinning his way to 4-31. Neil Andrews (48) was the top scorer for the Matthew Lane side.

Gargrave were all at sea when they entertained Bingley Congs II. The Beckfoot side made 152-5 with Charlie Raistrick top scoring with 43no. Matthew Brian (3-1) and Jonny Teale (3-15) helped the Skipton Road side back to the hut for 91.

Visitors Eldwick & Gilstead were restricted to 115 at Skipton CI, with Chris Child making 43 as John Stuttard took 3-25. The Sandylanders galloped home by five wickets thanks mainly to Ian Burke (44).

Sutton II lead Division 4A by two points. They entertained neighbours Cowling II and rattled up 217-9 with Simon Todd (90) perishing in the nineties for the second week running. The visitors replied with 155 as evergreen John Cleaver (33) top-scored. George Blackwell took 4-46 and Mickey Ruddock 3-25.

Second-placed Haworth took advantage of their first team being without a game to play six first-teamers and they had a big influence.

Foulridge II made a modest 103 as Will Yilditz (5-43) and Jamie Rowell (3-12) did most of the damage. The Bronte side struggled home for the loss of six wickets with Dan Trowers making 31.

Airedale II's Simon Hunter hit a super 120no and Paul Feather weighed in with 41 to see their side to 253-9 at home to Denholme II, as Michael Dennison claimed 5-53. The latter followed his bowling stint with a superb 103 and put on 108 for the seventh wicket with Tim Shires (35) as they closed on 168, with Stuart Maclennan finishing with 5-43.

Ben Hinchcliffe (91) and Keiran Temprell (39) helped Crossflatts II to 195-7 at home to Chatburn II, who made 183-8 in reply as Mick Addy spun his way to 3-31.

There was a controversial ending to the game between Hepworth & Idle II and Skipton CI II. Apparently a shot for four was not signalled by the umpire and the winning margin was just two runs.

Glen Pinkney (50) was the backbone of the Westfield Lane side's 172. Skipton fell just short on 170 all out in reply, Will Shuttleworth (46) and Jon Sharpe (35) were to the fore as Donald Wooller (4-30) shone with the ball.

The Division 4B game between Silsden and Ingrow II lasted just 22.2 overs. The visitors were brushed aside for 34 as 18-year-old Will Pullen (6-8) and Keiran Lawrence (3-26) ran amok for the Cobbydalers, who romped home by seven wickets.

Glusburn are four points adrift of Silsden in second place. They rattled up 251-5 at Park Field against Gargrave II, with the experienced Alan Coney (101no) and Noman Hassan (67) putting on 107 for the second wicket. The former then took 4-43 as the Skipton Roaders closed on 182-9 with Will Storr (35) top-scoring.

Bradley II smashed the day’s highest score, 269-5, off a very weak Oakworth III attack. Danny Smith (96no), Chris Kimberley (67) and George Bell (53) were the main contributors as under-13 player Subhaan Ahmed took 3-39. The hosts were dismissed for 79 with under-14 player Lucas Keslinke making 46 as Bell took 3-8.

Hosts Long Lee II were dismissed for 89 with Phil Atkinson and Russell Hogg both making 26 as Mohammad Ali Raja (5-39) and Andy Love (4-44) did the damage. Visitors Bingley Congs III could only muster 48 in reply as Bill Marshall (15) was the only batsman to reach double figures, Jack Kennedy taking 5-22.

Wilsden II were too good for Cononley II in South Craven, winning by eight wickets. The home side made 144 with Sam Birks (35) and Peter Hatton (34) holding things together as Ben Reynard took 4-43. Raza Ali (79no) and Neil Jagger (37) put on 100 for the second wicket to set up the easy win.