JUST as the weather warmed up so did the cricket in the J P Mewies Craven & District League, with some high scores and some close finishes.

In the First Division, over at Thornton, leaders Embsay encountered a shirt front of a pitch. Their attack was plundered for 181 runs, while they only managed to claim three wickets.

Adam Zampatti top scored with 56, backed up by Tim Gates 51no and Richard Craddock 34. However, the home side's attack fared little better, although they had the Shires Laners 63-3 at one time.

Then Bob Bateman 75 and David Robinson 46no took them to within one run of their target, which was reached in the 37th over.

Meanwhile at Haworth, visitors Oakworth knocked over the home side for 109, with Richard Powell scoring 31 as Michael Scarborough 4-22 and Jamie Pennington 3-15 did most of the damage with the ball.

The Cure Hill romped to an impressive nine-wicket victory and second place in the table, John Crossley making 53no and Steve Hartley 33no for the winners.

Long Lee moved into third place after a nail-biting one-wicket win over visitors Cowling. The South Craveners batted first and made 142, with Steve Mitchell scoring 44. Paul Swindlehurst 4-33 and Chris Taylor 3-36 were the most successful bowlers.

The Keighley side then scraped home in the last over, thanks mainly to a fine knock by Aussie Mick Iles, who finished with 66no. Phil Walton chipped in with 45 as Martin Rishton claimed 4-22.

Cullingworth entertained Barrowford and beat them by six wickets.

Bradley got a welcome two points at Skipton CI. They batted first and scored 169-7 in their overs, with Andrew Smithson making 49no. In reply the Sandylands side were knocked over for 141, with James Heseltine spinning his way to 6-40.

Denholme finally opened their win account at the expense of visitors Haworth WE. The Bronte side made a creditable 180-8, with Jason Bilbrough making 57 and Andy Parker 30 as Rob Taylor claimed 3-39. The home side made a bright start with 64 for the first wicket where Rob Taylor was bowled for 41. They struggled to 99-4 at which point David Wear perished for 39. Gareth Marshall was joined by Stuart Cummings and the pair took their side to victory in the 39th over. Marshall, playing his first senior game after injury, made 46no and Cummings 37no.