THE Craven Cricket League is set to benefit once again from the exodus from the Bradford Central League, with Oxenhope the latest club to apply for membership and be accepted for the 2004 season.

At this stage the Bronteland team have not confirmed that they intend to take up the Craven League offer and are thought to be still exploring other avenues, but with most of their former West Bradford League neighbours now gathered into the Craven fold, a move in this Skipton direction would seem a logical step.

Oxenhope are not the only side checking out the possibility of moving west from Bradford. Sandy Lane from Cottingley have also approached the league and club delegates have been asked to sound out their members as to the value of inviting another new club into the league.

With other clubs also exploring the possibilities of migrating to the Craven League, officials now need to weight their options carefully.

The folding of some Craven League teams in recent seasons has resulted in a structure which contains four divisions of 12 teams, an ideal format, but there is no guarantee that this number will endure and a measure of prudend forward-planning seems sensible.

In the final analysis, the league is dealing from a strong hand at the moment and for the benefit of all concerned, the fundamental qualification on entry should relate to facilities and known standards of play and conduct.

Oxenhope's track record on those fronts is impeccable and officials recognise that those standards must remain the benchmark.

On the subject of newcomers, a proposition at the recent Annual Meeting that overseas 'imports' should no longer be accepted into the league was comfortably defeated, but the meeting did agree to a limit on players needing a transfer from an overseas board or association. In future, clubs will only be allowed to sign one overseas player per season.

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the League all the officials and the Executive Committee were re-elected en bloc. The league suffered a loss of some £550 on the year, with additional insurance costs and annual dinner expenses proving to be the main reasons for the shortfall.

The draw for the Wynn and Cowling Cup competitions was made this week, with some intriguing ties being pulled out of the hat.

Holders of the Wynn Cup trophy, Embsay, face a tricky tie down at Bradley, whilst last year's beaten finalists, Barrowford, will fancy their chances at home to Long Lee.

The holders of the Cowling Cup, Embsay, will be at home to Fourth Division Foulridge, whilst beaten finalist's Barrowford entertain Cowling.

Possibly the tie of the round will be at Thornton, where Haworth will be the visitors. Airedale get the opportunity to test their chances in Division Three when they take on Bradley down at Bradford Road.

The full draws are:

Wynn Cup: Pendle Forest v Ingrow, Haworth v J. Nelson's, Cowling v Skipton C.I., Thornton v Cullingworth, Denholme v Sutton, Bradley v Embsay, Chatburn v Glusburn, Oakworth v Airedale, Gargrave v Haworth WE, Barrowford v Long Lee, Cononley v Ingrow St John's, Foulridge v Carleton. To be played on Sunday 11th May.

Cowling Cup: Ingrow St John's v Long Lee III, Pendle Forest III v Oakworth, Cononley v Glusburn, Pendle Forest II v Sutton, Thornton v Haworth, Long Lee II v Skipton C.I., Chatburn v Keighley T.C., Embsay v Foulridge, Gargrave v Denholme, Barrowford v Cowling, Ingrow v Cullingworth, Airedale v Bradley. To be played Sunday 18th May.

The Wynn Cup final will be played at Bradley on August 17 and the Cowling Cup final at Ingrow the week before, August 10.

The new season opens on Saturday, April 26.

ONE of the Skipton Church Institute Cricket Club's stalwarts Terry Hennigan has died suddenly. He was 69.

An immensely popular personality, who played and umpired in the Craven & District Cricket League for many years, he was a mighty servant to the Sandylands club as player, coach, captain of both first and second teams, team manager, umpire and chairman for many years, only relinquishing the chairmanship 18 months ago.

He was one of the Craven League's great characters and a highly-respected figure who worked tremendously hard for the game over many years.

He was made an Honorary Life Member in recognition of those years of service and will be fondly remembered for his enthusiasm and dedication.

He was a man who generated lots of memories for his sporting friends and team-mates and will be much missed.

He was also a regular supporter of all Skipton's rugby and soccer clubs and of Keighley Cougars.