OAKWORTH and Bingley Congs tied their Wynn Cup final on a memorable day at Haworth Cricket Club.

On an afternoon when first holders Oakworth, then Congs, then Oakworth, then Congs, then Oakworth held sway, the upshot was that both sides finished on 156.

It was the first tie in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League's blue-riband decider in 89 matches, dating back to 1922. The replay date was due to be decided last night.

Ben Howell, who was too quick to cut, and canny Oakworth skipper Michael Scarborough bowled tidy spells as Congs were reduced to 38-2 before Australian Tom Mackenzie played the most positive innings of the day.

His 73 – his 50 came off just 26 balls in 23 minutes – had Congs dreaming of a score well in excess of 200.

But his dismissal to a full toss by Adam Smith, which wasn't quite a no ball, was the catalyst for the Bingley side to collapse against Gareth Marshall (4-17) and Smith (4-38), Congs only using 35.3 of their 40 overs.

Oakworth, who hit back well, were quite happy to be chasing that total on a day that had started with an emotional speech by Oakworth president Wilf Scarborough in memory of their second-team wicketkeeper Simon Howell, followed by a minute's applause.

However, they were put on the back foot themselves, firstly by pace bowlers Harry Greenhalgh and Matt Roberts and then by Aidie Dibb and Neil Copping.

The Oaks' cause seemed lost at 112-9 as it looked like their Wynn Cup final record would extend to a moderate six wins and 11 losses.

However, aided by a field that was too defensive, a dropped catch in the deep by Josh Nutting at 135-9 and sensible batting by Jack Davison and wicketkeeper Tim Walsh, they reached the last over needing just nine runs.

Copping dropped his second ball short and Davison pulled it for six but, despite needing just one run off three balls, he then skied the penultimate ball to square leg, where Mackenzie took the catch – ignoring the close attention of a team-mate – to force the replay after a plucky last-wicket stand of 44.

Just as Nutting was distraught after dropping that skier – he had held two fine catches earlier in the innings – so Davison was equally gutted after getting out with the scores level, dropping to his haunches having run to the bowler's end.

Oakworth skipper Scarborough said: "We thought we were dead and buried but we bat all the way from one to 11.

"The lads almost pulled us through but we get another bite at the cherry after their Aussie batted very well.

"It was tough for Jack at the end."

Congs skipper David Tarren admitted: "It is a mixture of relief and disappointment.

"I thought we had it in the bag but we got nervous in the last two or three overs and made a couple of simple mistakes that cost us. However, we go again."