Crossley effort in vain for Oakworth

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Wednesday 23rd Jun 2004.

The weather played a big part in proceedings over the weekend and the new rule, which requires 20 overs to be bowled in the last hour in a rain-affected game, came into play for the first time.

The match of the day in Division One was at Shires Lane where third-placed Oakworth travelled to face leaders Embsay.

Oakworth were asked to bat first and their innings was centred around an unbeaten 97 from skipper Jon Crossley.

A lengthy interruption for rain saw Crossley declare his side's innings on 162 for six with eight balls left, robbing him the chance of a deserved century.

The Embsay innings got off to a flyer with Duncan Bullough and Simon Bailey putting on 74 for the first wicket before the latter departed for 23.

Bullough continued his attack on the bowling before his innings was brought to an abrupt end on 85 when he had to retire hurt after gloving the ball into his face.

However in the penultimate over, John Metcalfe lashed a four and a six to complete the win for Embsay.

Rain had little chance to play a part at Haworth WE, where woeful batting from Foulridge saw them dismissed for just 28 in the 23rd over.

Andy Benfield took five for 11 and Jason Bilbrough four for 16 as five of the Foulridge batsmen were dismissed for ducks with only Tom Stephenson (10) reaching double figures.

Haworth cruised to their victory target in the eighth over for the loss of one

wicket.

Long Lee rattled up 190 for eight at home to Thornton with Matt Taylor scoring 40 and Steve Butterfield (24no) and John Roberts (25no) putting on an unbeaten 49 for the ninth wicket.

Thornton never got to grips with their task and closed on 118 for seven, Paul Swindlehurst taking three for 49.

At Bradley, Neil Andrews (81no) and A Smithson (38no) helped the home side to 174 for five against Cullingworth.

However, it wasn't enough as the visitors coasted home by five wickets with Steve Welch top-scoring with 84.

Haworth posted 204 at Cowling thanks in the main to Chris Smith (65) and James Wilkinson (43) before restricting Cowling to 163 for seven in reply.

The joint leaders of the Second Division, Glusburn and Bingley Congs, continue to look impressive.

Glusburn travelled to Haworth Road and held the home side to 138 for nine with Simon Hagerty claiming six for 66.

In reply, the South Craveners romped to an eight-wicket win with Matt Lloyd scoring 73 and Russell Newton 48.

Bingley Congs were made to work for the points by visitors Ingrow St John's.

The Saints set a modest 107 target for their hosts with W Hussain making 40 as Chris Hemsley took six for 54 and Turif Arshad three for 34.

Hussain then dismissed the first six Congs batsmen to leave them struggling on 66 for six.

However Chris Dibbs' unbeaten 33 saw Congs home without further alarm.

Skipton CI slipped further behind the top two after they could only draw at home to Pendle Forest.

The Sandylands side made 155 for six before declaring, with Ian Burke scoring 50 and Luke Walker 41.

The Fence side replied with 108 for six with Gareth Storey scoring 57 not out as Shaun Williamson took five for 44.

Third Division leaders Crossflatts were set a daunting 213 to win at Oakworth, who will be disappointed they didn't score more after losing their last five wickets for eight runs.

John Green and Steve Hartley both made 41 for Oakworth.

Crossflatts, however, were always in control of the run-chase with Joe Gath anchoring their innings with an unbeaten 80. He was joined at the fall of the second wicket by Mick Jones (65no) and the pair guided the leaders home.

Sandy Lane maintained their station in second spot after they beat Ingrow St John's by 6 wickets at Street Lane. N Katseer hit 74 of the Saints 194 as Pete Noble claimed 5-42. The visitor's skipper, Mark Oldfield made 72 and W Akram 40no as the points were collected safely.

Thornton II, enjoying their best season for a while, moved in beating visiting bottom side Cowling II by 7 wickets. Veteran Steve Dalby made 57 as the visitors totalled 131, with Mark Laycock taking 5-42. Evergreen home skipper, John Roughton, led from the front with 59no as victory was secured.

Embsay II travelled to Bull Holme and beat Barrowford II by 5 wickets. Batting first the homesters were 0-2 and then struggled to 114 with youngster Mark Atkinson top scoring with 28 as Nas Hussein took 4-29 and Simon Holt 4-31. Brian Hodgson with 56no anchored the Shires Lane side to points.

The all-first team clash between Carleton and Gargrave at Ramper Park went the way of the latter. Warren Burnett jnr 52no and Neville Allan 44 helped the homesters to 160-7. Then Paul Drinkall 54no and Steve Longley 36no grabbed the points for the visitors, by 4 wickets.

Haworth Road moved to the top of the Fourth Division on their own after Glusburn were frustrated by the weather and Bradley.

The Shipley side were up the hill at Wilsden and came away the points by 2 wickets.

Colin Ridehalgh, 50no, was the backbone of Glusburn's 151 as Mick Hall took 4-76 and Ian Clarkson 3-16. Hall was threatening to lead the visitors to victory but the rain curtailed that ambition. He had made 73no as his side were on 110-4 at the close.

Long Lee must have thought the game was theirs over at Pendle Forest when the homesters wanted 24 to win with 6 overs and two wickets left. In walked Andy Hakin to crash 5 fours and a six in one over to shatters their hopes.

Cullingworth were in the points again. They chased visitors Ingrow's 184-9 and won by one wicket. Rodney Hogg with 6-63 and 67 was their star.

Bingley Congs had reached 81-5 off 31 overs down at Airedale when the rains arrived to flood the square, which led to the abandonment of play.

Garry Searby with 4-48 and 34 helped Haworth keep visitors Skipton CI at bay. The Bronte side had reached 105-6 in reply to CI's 145-9, with Matt Carr having scored 46 of those.

Despite having a free week, Crossflatts still head the Fifth Division albeit by only a point from Chatburn who enjoyed a comfortable 7-wicket victory at Riddlesden.

Keighley TC are third after a narrow 1 wicket win at Gargrave. Andy Greenwood was their star taking 5-12 off 8 overs, which included the hat trick.

Denholme move into fourth spot above Gargrave after a fine 6 wicket win at Foulridge, with A Taylor 45 and J Wilkinson 5-39 doing the business for the winners.

Pendle Forest III just got the better of Sandy Lane in a game of dropped catches, winning by 12 runs.

Finally Cononley game with Sutton was washed out with them on 90-2

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