Condition of wickets leads to upsets

Groundsmen put in a monumental amount of work to get strips playable although there was no play in six games.

Leaders of the First Division, Bradley, made the short trip to Cononley and came unstuck big style. The home side had battled to a modest 115 against the spin of James Heseltine who finished with seven for 31 as Aussie T Kassis made 37 and extras 22. The leaders were cruising at 56 without loss then dramatically fell apart to be shot out for just 69. Chris Capstick made 22 as Matt Town (6-36) and Colin Stead (4-13) tore the heart out of the visitors.

Second placed Crossflatts also came unstuck on their travels to Cullingworth. Going first Cullingworth amassed 213 for seven in the innings with Gareth Marshall making 71 and Nigel Brett 61. The visitors were then dismissed for 146 with Q Ayub top scoring with 54 as Dave Robinson took three for 24 and Brannon Varley three for 59.

Embsay nip into second spot after they won at Bingley Congs by the narrowest of margins. Adrian Jennings made 30 as Bingley Congs struggled to 84 in 40 overs. Stephen Speak claimed six for 26 off 26 overs and Simon Bailey three for six. Embsay also struggled to get to the winning post. Only John Hillary (30) batted with any composure. However when he went the score was a nervy 68 for eight after 21 overs and it was game on. Scott Robinson and Chris Beck got the score to 82 when the former went. The latter kept his cool and hit the ball to the boundary for the winning runs. Neil Copping took five for 40 and Andy Dibb three for 24.

Thornton are two points behind Embsay after they travelled to Glusburn and were victorious by 46 runs. Evergreen Kev Pollard hit 54 to go with three players who made 20 as the total reached 190 for nine. Nick Williamson took five for 74 and Matt Lloyd three for 68. Glusburn were then dismissed for 144 despite an unbeaten 56 from Williamson. Scott Hudson took four for 35 and Mark Laycock four for 45.

Oakworth are level on points with Crossflatts and Thornton after they beat Sandy Lane at Cure Hill by three wickets. Sandy Lane were dismissed for 125 with Wasim Aktar top scoring with 49 as Chris White claimed six for 29. It was left to a fighting knock of 56 not out by Graham Rankin to get the Oaks to the spoils.

Up at Cowling there was a low-scoring, tight game which the home side took by 17 runs. Going first they posted 116 with youngster Matthew Wiggan making 25 as John Cant took five for 49 and David Flounders three for 40. Visitors Barrowford were then knocked over for 99 with Martyn Dalby taking six for 40 as Flounders top scored with 24.

The top two in the Second Division were made to work hard for the points. Leaders Haworth Road were over at Foulridge and the home side battled their way to 126 for nine in a 37 overs per side game. Aussie Brendan O'Keefe made 28 and No 9 Ryan Duerden 27 as Shami Ali took six for 64 off 19 overs.

Haworth Road made a solid start of 54 for the first wicket but from there found it hard going. They reached the target in the penultimate over for the loss of seven wickets. Charlie Hainsworth made 42 and Chris Griggs 34 before both were run out.

Haworth entertained Wilsden and both sides got some batting practice ahead of the Wynn Cup semi-finals. The Bronte side made 206 for eight with Richard Godden scoring 71 not out and Jamie Rowell 41 as Dave Collins finished with four for 48 off 16 overs. Wilsden strove to reach that target but fell just 14 runs short. S Wilson made 69, S Mahmood 32 as Gary Binns claimed four for 55 off 14 overs.

Ingrow made hard work of beating Long Lee. Paul Stowell made 61 of Long Lee's modest 126 as Dale Hoyle took six for 55. Ingrow were cruising at 103 for three with plenty of overs left. Mark Price started the rot when he was dismissed for 45. Dave Brown went for 34 and more wickets tumbled as the score reached 120 for nine. The last pair managed the necessary runs and victory was taken by one wicket. Adrian Greenwood finished with three for 35 and Shahbaz Ahmed three for 39.

Bottom side Denholme had no joy when they entertained Sutton. The home side limped to 65 all out with extras adding a welcome 20 runs. Chris Williams finished with four for 16 and skipper Steve Doane three for three off 5.2 overs. The South Craveners lost two wickets reaching their target with Richard Wilkinson making 22.

There was no play in the game between Ingrow St John's and Airedale.

The top two in the Third Division were comprehensive winners. Leaders by six points, Glusburn II were at Gargrave and dismissed their hosts for a paltry 65 with J Cruise taking five for 23 and Kev Hird three for 16. Glusburn sauntered home for the loss of three wickets.

Second placed Skipton CI were at Long Lee II and dismissed them for 93. Imran Haider made 27 as John Drake followed last week's good performance with six for 46 and John Stuttard took four for 11. New skipper Martin Seward made 38 as the Sandylands side lost four wickets reaching their target in the 29th over.

Long Lee II join Ingrow St John's a further six points behind CI. The Saints were at Embsay and won by 44 runs.

Ten men Carleton were involved in a dogfight over at Barrowford II. Batting first Carleton were knocked over for 59. Gareth Wooler (17) and Darren Pighills (15) were the only two players to get into double figure as J Coates took six for 14 in 6.3 overs. When Barrowford batted they too found the scoring of runs very difficult. They limped over the line with two wickets left. Opener M Iqbal had held firm on 29 not out as the carnage went on at the other end.

Lowly Haworth Road II struggled again at home to Cowling II. Despite Richard Butterfields' 71 Haworth Road could only muster 131 for eight. The visitors galloped home by seven wickets with A Hussain making 67. There was no play between Airedale II and Oakworth II.

Fourth Division leaders Riddlesden were in fine fettle at Crossflatts as they scored 226 for seven with R Jain making 67 and Adam Khan 42. The home side were dismissed for 146 with Craig Durn top scoring with 68.

Four points behind are Haworth West End who featured in a high-scoring game against Eldwick & Gilstead. West End batted first and walloped 270 for eight with Tinashe Gomwe (pictured right) hitting 83, Andy Holt 66 and Joe Bottomley 47. Visitors Eldwick & Gilstead were unperturbed by that total but fell just 17 runs short. D Pearson scored 90 not out to go with R Unsworth's 51 and J Roach's 48. Joe Bottomley finished with five for 75.

Bradley II amassed a healthy 227 at home to Ingrow II. Matt Buckmaster scored 80 and Chris Brookes 54 as Nick Hoyle took five for 36. The Keighley side were restricted to 104 in reply with Brookes taking three for 26 and Andy Holmes three for 33.

Cullingworth II's Martin Rendell (6-19) and Russell Hogg (4-23) added to bottom side Pendle Forest II's woes as they were dismissed for a measly 48. Cullingworth lost six wickets before taking the points.

Sandy Lane II lost at home to Haworth II.

Leaders of the fifth division Wilsden II crashed at home to Cononley II who take over top spot. Bingley Congs II were thwarted by the weather at Oakworth III. A similar fate befell Eldwick & Gilstead II, Glusburn III, Sutton II and Skipton CI II.

Finally Denholme II won by seven wickets at Riddlesden II.