BOTH Cowling Cup semi-finals looked set to be close contests, but it was far from the case when Haworth took on Thornton.

The Bronte side batted first, but unlike their senior side over the valley at Bradley, they were the ones to falter badly. Only two players, Glen Ogden 22, and Adam Balderstone 16 reached double figures as they were knocked over for a modest 62. Anthony Giles, who left his sick bed to play in the game bowled superbly well to finish with 7-17 off his allotted 12 overs.

For Thornton, Tim Gates set off like an express train. He clattered 33 off the 39 scored for the first wicket. Another couple of hiccups couldn't stop the West Craveners cantering to a splendid seven wicket win.

Meanwhile down at Glusburn, there was a keen scrap going on between Embsay, the last team to win the trophy and Long Lee. The Keighley side batted first, lost a quick wicket then recovered to 107-2. Then wickets fell alarmingly as the score crept to 138-8. John Tetley with 24no, including a couple of mighty sixes, saw the innings to 163 before it closed. Brian Portlock was the highest scorer with 54 as John Metcalfe took 5-47 and Andy Bell 3-25.

The Shires Lane side's innings followed a similar pattern early on and it was game on at 62-3 with 25 overs gone. Youngster Simon Doane backed up the vastly experienced Tetley in keeping things fairly quiet. David Barrett joined Brian Hodgson and set about the bowling with relish. The latter went for 39 with the score on 138. Barrett took the score to 160 where he perished for a fine 63. Another wicket fell at the same score before Metcalfe clattered the ball for four to seal a good four wicket triumph.

This sets up a mouth watering final as Thornton try to gain revenge for their last meeting with Embsay, in a final, when they lost agonisingly by just three runs.