Cricket: Craven League

GRAHAM RANKIN and Jeff Inman gave Embsay a king-sized headache in the battle of the top two last weekend.

Rankin took 5-18 and Inman backed him up with 3-29 as the Embsay were shot out for 129.

Only a 30 run partnership by Simon Holt 23no and Scott Robinson eight and then Nasser Hussain with nine helped the score along.

In reply the Cure Hill side found themselves 30-2, before they shut the door on their rivals and coasted to 107 before losing a third wicket. Another wicket fell at 114 but there were no further hiccups as the target was reached for the loss of four wickets in the 31st over.

Robert Hopkinson took full advantage of being dropped twice to score 54no. The win opens a seven-point gap at the top of the table and Embsay drop to third spot.

Haworth move into second place after brushing aside eight man Sutton. The South Craveners were dismissed for 47 with three wickets each for Richard Godden and Damian Rowell. The Bronte side lost two wickets reaching their target.

Thornton are fourth after a handy 43 run triumph over at Barrowford. Batting first the Booth Bridge Lane side made 169 with David Holt leading the way with 65 and Mark Procter 32. Glen Hargreaves took 4-36. Mark Paxton 4-35 and Stephen Lodge 4-36 ensured that the homeside fell short of their target.

Bradley move into fifth spot, one point ahead of Barrowford, after overcoming Skipton CI. Neil Andrews 75no and Mike Milbourn 60 helped the homesters to 199-6 in their overs. The visitors were dismissed for a modest 70 with John Williamsom 4-15 and Tim Rudden 4-31 doing the damage.

Early leaders Cowling were in fine form with the bat as they rattled up 225-5 at home to Pendle Forest, with Martyn Dalby scoring 66no and Aussie Anthony Quon 57. The Fence side were dismissed for 118 with Ian Watson claiming 6-34.

Long Lee's Paul Wilkinson scored a magnificent 120no as his side rattled up 211-5 at home to Carleton. The Ramper Park side made 124-9 as Alan Coney finished with 4-39.

Haworth West End edged a little closer to the pack in their effort to avoid relegation, when they beat Foulridge by 27 runs. The Bronte side batted first and reached 156-8, with Duncan Tetley, 46, being the top scorer. For the Noyna side only Mohammed Nawaz with 43 posed any threat as Adam Bailey 5-30 and Jason Bilbrough 5-65 had them back in the hut for 129.

The top two in the Second Division also faced each other. At Chatburn the home side rattled up an impressive 233-4 with Stuart Draycott making 76no. Cullingworth's Chris Welch 98no and Steve Welch 71no upstaged him however as they took their side to their target for the loss of three wickets putting them nine points clear of their rivals.

Ingrow St John's are third after beating Keighley TC by five wickets. Gargrave were thankful to No 7 batsman, Martyn Cox whose 41no helped them to 149-9. Visitors Cononley were dismissed for 79 in reply with Ray Jones claiming 5-37 and Chris Flood 3-13.

There was drama at Airedale where visitors Ingrow won by one wicket off the last ball of the game. The homesters made 163 with Phil Loftus scoring as Dale Hoyle and Ian Roberts took three wickets each. For the winners Paul Goodwin scored 47 as Ben Guest claimed 5-47.

A close finish was the order of the day as leaders of the Third Division, Pendle Forest, edged home by one wicket after seemingly being in an impossible position. Visitors Cowling had amassed 202 batting first, Mark Batty scoring 70 to go with evergreen Steve Dalby's 76. The Fence side were 170-9 with six overs to go when 13 year old Andrew Hakin joined Peter Mawdsley. The youngster didn't score a run but was resolute in his defence as his partner made 59no to see them to the improbable victory, Batty finishing with 4-51.

Oakworth continue in second spot, a point behind, after figuring in a game of 555 runs. The Cure Hill side amassed a mammoth 330-5 in their 45overs. David Brunskill led the way with a splendid 104, followed by Jason Lockley with 86 and Drew Duffy 64. In Haworth's reply six batsmen got into scoring mood but none were able to go on and post a big score. They closed on 225-8, David Walsh scoring 39 and Ben England 36no. Chris Mooney took 3-27 in six overs.

In a dress rehearsal of the Cowling Cup final Embsay edged home with just one ball of the game remaining. Homesters Thornton posted 209-8 with Steve Laycock making 55 and skipper John Roughton 53no. In the Shires Lane side's reply Brian Hodgson was the lynchpin. Batting at No 4 he entered the fray at 55-2. When he was out the score stood at 208 with him having scored 94. Skipper Alan Robinson duly despatched the fifth ball of the last over for a match winning four. A repeat of this game will be splendid fayre for the Cowling Cup final spectators.

Bradley's Martin Banks with 58 helped them to 166-4 at Sandylands. Skipton CI could only manage 122 in reply, D Suter jnr top scoring with 33 as Mick Hall finished with 4-46.

Barrowford were impressive 10 wicket winners at Sutton. The home side were shot out for 48 with A Foster taking 6-20 and A Howarth 4-26, the Bull Holme side romping to victory.

Long Lee collect three points following the conceding of the game by opponents Chatburn who were unable to raise a side.

The top two in the Fourth Division were inactive, which allowed Ingrow St John's to move within one point of second spot. They beat Keighley TC by 77 runs at Rose Cottage.

Fourth placed Ingrow were too strong for visitors Airedale, beating them by 97 runs. For the winners Ian Herbert and Darren Golding both scored 79. For the losers Chris Alvey made 46 as Dean Herbert took 6-18.

The Taylor family had a good day for Denholme as they beat Pendle Forest III by three wickets. L Taylor took 7-49 as the Fence side were dismissed for 146. Then Richard Taylor scored a fine 63no as the target was reached. Brian Snowden took 4-59 for the losers.