DETERMINED efforts not to be beaten by the weather paid off for the Division One pace-makers in the J P Mewies Craven & District League last weekend, with both leaders Embsay and title rivals Oakworth defying the watery conditions to get a favourable result.

Long Lee players and officials toiled hard over a couple of flooded spots until 3-30pm when it was agreed with Embsay that, despite the delay, a 25-over game would be possible. The Shires Lane side were put in and from the first ball, which was dispatched for six by David Robinson, the tone was set.

Rain interrupted play for 20 minutes, but then the score rattled on to 212-4 in the overs, thanks largely to a brilliant 115no by Duncan Ward, which included nine sixes and nine fours.

Matt Taylor bowled his heart out to finish with 3-102, having at least three chances put down as he battled to curb the cascade of boundaries.

The Keighley side also set off in determined mood. After losing Jan Haider, Richard Granger and Mick Iles took the attack to the leaders, both scoring 50 before they then perished and in doing so handed to initiative back to Embsay. They then tightened things up to restrict Long Lee to 161-6 in their overs, Stephen Speak finishing with 3-50 off 13 overs.

At Cure Hill, monumental groundwork on Friday night and Saturday morning ensured that play got of to a prompt start. Cowling were asked to bat first and struggled to 119-8 in their innings, Frankland top scoring with 48 as Michael Scarborough and Jeff Inman took three wickets apiece.

The second-placed team then cantered to an eight-wicket triumph, with Rob Hopkinson making 38 and Mark Price 37no.

Third-placed Barrowford made the short journey up the road to Pendle Forest and, despite missing several players due to David Flounder's wedding, came away with the points. The Fence side batted first and were restricted to 115, with opener Andrew Maudsley making 44 as Ajmal Choudry claimed 5-28 and Neil Hargreaves 4-26.

The visitors reached their target in the 43rd over for the loss of five wickets. At 85-5 things were looking dodgy, but then Hargreaves 45no and Keith Parkinson 22no saw the side home.

Thornton's form has deserted them recently. They entertained Haworth and again lost narrowly - this time by one wicket.

Batting first the Booth Bridge Lane side were restricted to 135-9 in their overs. Mark Proctor, with 42, took the batting honours as Jamie Rowell took 5-60 and Richard Godden 4-30.

The Bronte side were quickly reduced to 28-5, which became 58-6. At that point Godden was joined by Karl Brown and saw the score to 79-7, a position which still favoured the home side.

Godden eventually went for 34 before Brown also fell for 30 at 105. The ninth wicket went down at 122, but Anthony Godden, who finished on 26no, and last-man Armstrong saw them through to the spoils.

There was no play between Skipton CI and Bradley.

Haworth WE, leaders of the Second Division, were in good form at home to Gargrave. They restricted the visitors to 102-7 in their overs, Ray Jones scoring 59. The reply was stunning as they cantered to a fine ten-wicket win, Tim Welch scoring 78no.

Second-placed Sutton were too strong for visitors Cononley.