IT was the start of the local cricket season at the weekend - so cue the downpour which washed out the programme.

Play did start in a few matches but the thunder and lightning put paid to further play in all but one game. Cononley v Glusburn in Division Two was the match to dodge the heavy showers.

In the First Division newly-promoted Long Lee batted first at Thornton-in-Craven where Richard Preston announced his arrival on the scene by smashing the first ball of the season for six. He continued in that vein as he went on to score 70 out of 77 for two before rain ended matters.

At Cononley, the home side made 183 for two, with half centuries for Roger Nelson (58no), Neil Coward (52) and Tom Palin (51).

Despite a poor start the visitors stayed positive and reached their target with three wickets and one over to spare. Mick Baxter hit 73 and Ian Beattie 42no.

In Division Three Bradley had made 42 for one at Barrowford whilst Haworth were 59 for two at Sandylands.

Cononley: R Nelson not out 58; T Palin c Parkin b Baxter 51; C Stead c Iveson b Watts 18; N Coward run out 52; Extras 4. Total (2 wkts) 183.

Bowling: M Pickles 8-3-22-0; B Hollis 12-2-46-0; S Filkin 6-1-21-0; M Baxter 10-4-44-1; C Watts 9-0-46-1.

Glusburn: D Ideson b Town 0; R Parkin c Scarr b Town 7; M Baxter c Palin b Town 73; S Filkin b Town 13; C Watts c Nelson b Stead 15; J Beattie not out 42; D Barton c Hargreaves b Iveson 1; B Hollis c Wilson b Town 5; A Filkin not out 6. Extras 22. Total (7 wkts) 184.

Bowling: A Town 17-5-55-5; G Iveson 12.2-1-53-1; C Stead 9.4-0-37-1; I Thompson 5-1-21-0.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.