The horrendous weather throughout the week left many cricket grounds awash. The appearance of the sun during Saturday just added to the frustration of players who were desperate to play some cricket before the season ends next week. However amongst the doom and gloom there were two oases, at Crossflatts and Haworth West End.

At Crossflatts where Bradley were the visitors, the outcome would have a bearing on the top of the table. As usual much hard work by the ground staff had got the ground fit for play.

Crossflatts won the toss and not surprisingly asked the visitors to go first. They lost Neil Andrews for six and Ben Hall for ten to leave them 28 for two after 14 overs. Matt Buckmaster joined opener Chris Capstick and the pair took the score to 82 where the former went for 31. Matt Simpson perished on the next ball which opened the door for the home side just a little bit wider.

However Capstick was in no mood to let them in and he found allies in three partners who were prepared to get a single to let him have the strike. At the end of the allotted 40 overs he was 79 not out which included four sixes sixes and five fours and the score stood at 143 for six. Mick Addy bowled through to finish with four for 59.

Strangely it was a timid ‘Flatts side that came out to bat - not one that had the opportunity of putting themselves in the driving seat at the top of the table. They stumbled and crawled to 50 for eight with only Rashid Ayub offering much resistance with 22.

Shayne Brooksbank joined J O’Hara and the pair did some defiant hitting and put on 40 before the latter perished for 11. Last man Addy lasted one ball and it was all over. Brooksbank finished on 28 not out which included three well struck sixes. The innings closed on 90 all out.

So it was the visitors who moved up the table to joint second with Crossflatts, much to the delight and relief of the watching leaders Cullingworth side whose game at Bingley Congs had been washed out.

Haworth West End entertained Cowling Cup runners-up Sandy Lane II who could only muster eight men.

The Bronte side went first and plundered 190 for seven in 32.4 overs and then declared. Opener Andy Parker blasted his way to 94 with Tinashe Gomwe chipping in with 32 as James Dennison claimed four for 44.

Sandy Lane were never in the hunt and were dismissed for just 34. Only skipper Dennison with 11 reached double figures as Joe Bottomley claimed four for 13 and Gomwe three for 15.

The battles at both ends of the First Division will go to Saturday’s final matches with three teams in with a chance of taking the title and four still in danger of filling the second relegation spot.

The Second Division was sorted out last week whilst the Third Division title goes to Glusburn II with Skipton CI and Cowling II fighting to see who joins them in the higher division.

Riddlesden are the Fourth Division champions with Haworth West End, by virtue of last Saturday’s victory joining them in the Third Division. Meanwhile at the bottom Pendle Forest II are immune from the drop, under league rules, so two of Chatburn II, Thornton II and Sandy Lane II will be relegated.

The Fifth Division title race is between Cononley II and Wilsden II with just one point separating the pair.

Cullingworth Cricket Club will host Sportsman’s Dinner featuring former England cricketers Ronnie Irani and Graham Thorpe on Friday, October 31, at the Hilton Hotel in Bradford.

The event, which starts at 7.30pm, also includes comedian Farrell Butler and an auction of top sporting memorabilia. The event will raise money for charity One in a Million.

For further details ring Shane Whitford on 07961 038981 or Dave Hall on 07904 225497.