OAKWORTH, runners-up last season, notched the kind of result to make other Mewies Solicitors Craven League Division One title contenders sit up and take notice.

Openers Gareth Marshall (143) and Jack Hainsworth (111no) put on a club record stand of 267 as they racked up 312-1 at home to Riddlesden, skipper Michael Scarbrough (31no) keeping up the momentum.

Jack Davison (6-28) and Ben Howell (2-26) then helped to roll over the visitors for 105 in 28.3 overs as only opener Ehsan Khan troubled the scorers greatly.

However, the Wide Lane club, whose total was in contrast to most of the other matches, remain three points behind leaders Bingley Congs, whose pace bowlers Harry Greenhalgh (5-29) and Matt Roberts (3-28) rescued them at Haworth, dismissing the hosts for 58 after Congs had made only 83, Damian Rowell (6-29) and Stephen Bell (4-52) bowling unchanged.

Ingrow St John's are equal second with Oakworth after winning another low-scoring encounter at home to Sutton.

The unbeaten 22 by No 9 Nadeem Zaman proved crucial in boosting Saints' score to 109 as Kane Booker took 3-17 and Richard Walker 3-29.

Sutton were 69-9 but caused a few heart flutters before finally being out for 94 as Simon Doane (24) and Chris Williams (21) helped the tail to wag, Wasim Hussain (4-20) and Sarum Qureshi (3-14) doing most damage.

Duncan Ward (74) and No 9 Haroon Ali (55) were the stars of Embsay's 167-9, Joshua Kazar taking 3-31 and Jim O'Hara 3-45, but visitors Crossflatts timed their reply nicely, scoring 171-4 off 41.5 overs, with Kazar hitting 56 not out, wicket-keeper Dominic Bennett 45 and James Baxter 41.

Michael Davison is noted for his bowling more than his batting but, after taking 3-14 in hosts Bradley's 156, Oakworth Seconds recovered from 34-4 to triumph by one wicket, Davison holding his end up with two not out as skipper Steve Powell (46no) did most of the scoring in the match-winning last-wicket stand of 21.

Jack Ellis (48) and James Lee (35) also helped to pull the second string out of the mire in Division Two to foil Casper Bean (5-40).

That victory kept Oakworth in third place as joint leaders Thornton-in-Craven and Cowling both won, the latter by seven wickets at home to Glusburn, who were restricted to 125-4 off their 45 overs, despite Matthew Lloyd making an unbeaten 74.

There was a remarkable occurrence at Crossflatts in Division Four, where FOUR fathers and sons played for the hosts.

They were skipper Jonny and Oliver Gath, David and Charlie Hall, Mick and Joshua Addy and Paul and Ashley Rhodes.

Airedale captain Ben Wooler made 37 in their 93-8, Crossflatts using nine bowlers, with Charlie Hall taking 2-11 and David Hall 2-16 before veteran Brian Freimanis (52no) and Ollie Bellerby (34) helped Flatts win by nine wickets.

*THE Mewies Solicitors Craven League's executive committee are still dotting the i's and crossing the t's after the resignation of league secretary and fixture secretary Ann and Trevor Coe two weekends ago.

However, league vice-chairman Bryan Hollis has revealed that the league are still in negotiations with the husband and wife pair.

The executive had an unscheduled meeting last Wednesday and have another one next Monday after which the roles and responsibilities of individuals on the committee should become clearer.

Hollis said: "We are still in negotiations with Ann and Trevor about this season and we are still functioning as a league and an executive committee. We will take stock at the end of the season."