Cricket: Craven League round-up

Playing their fourth big match in succession Oaks lost the toss and were asked to bat and Jamie Robinson harried the batsmen with a superb spell which brought him eight wickets for 55 runs in his 19 overs. He was backed up by skipper Chris Taylor who finished with two for 59.

The home side's reply got off to a good start with Paul Wilkinson clattering a quick 31, but with the score on 59-5 Taylor retired hurt. It looked as if the game could swing Oakworth's way, but Alan Coney had other ideas. He put on 39 for the sixth wicket with Richard Wilkinson and 19 with Robinson before he was bowled for 35 with just two runs needed. Kevin Hird finished with 3-33 in seven overs.

Embsay took advantage to move into top spot after their 70-run victory at Bradley. The Shires lane side struggled to 145-9 with Ed Tiffany making 48 as Tim Rudden (5-47) and Mick hall (4-72) bowled through. Lacking several first teamers, the home side also struggled and could only muster 75 in reply.

M Milbourn made 36 as Zuffar Iqbal took 6-48 and Stephen Speak captured 3-21.

Thornton lurk just one point behind Oakworth in third spot after being made to work had for the spoils against Carleton who scored 160 thanks to Steve Carling (64) and Ian Bell 51 (not out) while Brian Laycock snapped up seven for 24.

Laycock followed up with a match-winning 54 not out aided by Ian Clarkson's 38. The West Craven side need to keep the pot boiling when they travel to Embsay tomorrow.

Haworth secured a morale-boosting 30-run win at Pendle Forest. The Bronte team scored 104-9 in a low scoring game with Alan Ratcliffe scoring 53 as Andrew Townsend and James Thackray took four wickets each. Steady bowling and poor batting saw the Fence side back in the pavilion for 74.

Nick Williamson scored 29 and took six for 20 to star in Skipton CI's 36 run win at Sutton. David Holdsworth took 5-33 but could not prevent the South Craven side slipping to defeat.

Cowling dragged themselves off the bottom of the table for the first time this season when they beat Barrowford by eight wickets at Bull Holme. The Lancashire side slipped into bottom spot.

Haworth West End encountered few problems at home to Cononley as Jason Bilbrough took his total of wickets in the season to 70 as he claimed seven for 12. The visitors collapsed to 56-9 and Andy Parker's 32 not out helped West End to the points by 10 wickets.

It was a similar story at Street Lane where second placed Ingrow St John's had Jimmy Nelson's back in the pavilion for a paltry 29 with Colin Bottomley and Anthony Haigh taking four wickets each. The Saints lost one wicket reaching their target.

Third placed Denholme had to work a little harder at Keighley Tech where the home side scored 96 as Andy Hodgson and David Weat took four wickets each. Wear then scored 30 not out to see his side home by six wickets.

Fourth placed Foulridge were also set few problems by visitors Chatburn. Tom Stephenson produced a fine spell of bowling to finish with 8-44 off 18 overs to restrict the Ribblesdale side to 121. John Lickess with 49 helped the Noyna side to a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Brian Hollis and C Watts (63) helped Glusburn to a very comfortable 99-run win against Barnoldswick III.

Airedale struggled to 124-7 at Gargrave despite a bright start from Matthew Cox, who made 44. Wily bowler Ray Jones finished with 5-44 and was backed up by Chris Flood who deserved more than the two wickets he collected.

In reply Jones was the only batter to offer any resistance. He made a fine 48 as his side perished for 69. Alan Hayes took 4-27 which would have looked even better if he hadn't been savaged for 23 by Jones.

Embsay were a little nervous about their game with second placed Bradley s they tried to wrap up the league title. Bradley have been on form recently, but Embsay's fears were unfounded as the visitors could only muster eight players for the vital game.

The South Craveners batted first and made 105-7 with J Simpson scoring 40 and John Thornton 27. Mark Tucker (55no) and Andy Bell (34no) took the Shires Lane outfit to the points - and the league title - by nine wickets in only 17.1 overs.

Thornton remain in third place despite losing at Chatburn who posted an impressive 195-9, which was 30 runs too many for the West Craveners.

Barrowford moved into fourth spot after a dramatic two-run win at Glusburn. The Lancashire outfit were indebted to a knock of 70 by A Foster as Colin Ridehalgh took 5-48. The home side got within two runs of their target with three wickets left but Thornley was dismissed on 43 and the last two wickets fell with the score on 162, with just two balls to go. T Jamil took 7-34 to snatch the match.

Oakworth made an impressive 214-8 with Drew Duffy scoring 49, J Duffy 42 and Brian Pennington 40 as Derek Preston took 4-43. Long Lee made a brave effort, but fell 34 short of the target with David Preston (44), Martin Stables (35) and 15-year-old Simon Doane 26.

Martin Vickerman scored an undefeated half-century to lead Pendle Forest to 135 against Haworth with Dave Walsh taking 5-45. Colin Williamson (54) and Glen Ogden (36) ensured Haworth cantered home by eight wickets.

Skipton CI claimed three points when Sutton were unable to raise a team.

Cowling went back to the head of the Fourth Division after defeating leaders Pendle Forest by 87 runs. Steve Dalby (45), Nick Riding (44) and Donald Moore (33) helped the South Craven side to 186-8. Forest never got to grips with situation despite a fighting 51 not out from Peter Hakin.

Haworth West End take over second spot after losing fewer games than Pendle forest III after dismissing Cononley for 87 with Malc Dovernor taking 7-44. The Bronte side cruised home by six wickets.

Denholme are still in the promotion race following their 106-run victory over Keighley Tech. S Haigh took 7-44, including a hat-trick, to keep Denholme in the promotion race.

Matthew Lutz took 3-37 and scored 42 not out as Foulridge recorded a seven wicket win over Carleton.

Airedale proved too strong for visitors Gargrave, winning by six wickets.