Dalesmen in good form

There was an abundance of runs on Saturday as the strong winds dried up playing surfaces, and possibly the same winds led to butterfingers being somewhat in evidence.

First Division leaders Upper Wharfedale were again in good form on their travels to Cowling.

The home side batted first and had young David Sutton to thank for getting to 159. He made a bright 30 to go with Martin Rishton's 40 and Steve Dalby's 31. K Barton with 4-36 was the most successful bowler.

The Dalesmen countered with 161-2. An opening partnership of 99 by John Pearson, 39, and Jason Waddington set them on their way and the latter was out for a fine 73 with the score on 132. The victory formality was concluded in the 33rd over.

Thornton and Embsay are four points behind the leaders. The former had the task of tackling Oakworth at Booth Bridge Lane and what a scrap it turned out to be.

The Cure Hill side batted first and made 199-5 with Simon Howell making 47 and Michael Scarborough 43. The West Craveners' reply was always there or thereabouts. Tim Gates, 47, Kevin Pollard, 38, and Brian Laycock, 37, tried their best and skipper Mark Paxton clattered 20 in the gloom and drizzle, but sadly for them their efforts fell just seven runs short of their target.

Embsay entertained Pendle Forest and blasted 216-4, Ed Tiffany scoring 65, James Tiffany 59 not out and Rob Bateman 45 not out. Only Jason Bracewell with 57 offered much resistance as the Fence side could only manage 136 in reply, John Metcalfe taking 3-24.

Joining Oakworth a point behind Thornton and Embsay are Barrowford who suffered a reversal down at Carleton.

The red rose side made a creditable 175-8, Neil Hargreaves scoring 54 and Nigel Hargreaves 39 as Steve Carling took 5-49. The latter followed this with 35 to go with Adam Greenwood's 38 as the villagers got home by four wickets.

T Brearley scored a superb 100 and Neil Andrews 62 as Bradley notched up 204-6 over at Foulridge.

The Noyna side were then dismissed for 139, with W Nasir scoring 30 as Paul Wilkinson took 5-38 and Tim Rudden 5-29.

That defeat leaves the home side anchored firmly to the bottom without a league victory so far.

The lowest scoring game in the division came down at Sutton. Surprisingly it was the home side who were rumbled for 78 and visitors Haworth cruised to a fine seven-wicket win, Damian Rowell being the star with 6-27 and 26.

The top of the Second Division is starting to take shape with Skipton Church Institute leading the pack.

They were in scintillating form down at Glusburn on what must have been a batter's paradise.

The homesters had first use and crashed a fine 241-8, Darren Ideson hitting an excellent 95 and Steve Filkin 47.

Undaunted Church Institute set off in pursuit ably led by Ian Burke whose 104 not out turned out to be a match-winning innings.

Nick Williamson chipped in with 38 as victory was achieved by seven wickets leaving the Glusburn team gutted.

A point behind come Chatburn who had few problems dealing with bottom club Keighley Tech. Tight bowling restricted the white rose side to 58 after they had been 55-4. S Draycott took 5-3 and Rod Booth 3-16. The Ribblesdale side lost three wickets reaching their target.

A further two points behind come Gargrave who plundered 255-5 over at Victory Park.

M Clayton, 67, and Tim Buckle, 86, put on 126 for the first wicket in 21 overs and Neville Smith clattered 28 not out at the end of the innings.

Barnoldswick III were never in the hunt as they were shot out for 47 in only 24 overs, Ernie Moorhouse taking 4-2 in two overs to bring matters to a close.

Another point behind come Long Lee who undoubtedly had the performer of the day in Chris Taylor.

Firstly he made 68 not out to rescue his side from a wobbly 112-6, putting on an undefeated 78 for the last wicket with skipper Richard Granger.

Not satisfied with this he still had the energy to take 9-36 in 12 overs as opponents Cononley were brushed aside for 72.

This leaves the South Craven side next to bottom with just a solitary victory to their name.

Ingrow St John's Rob Hopkinson ran Taylor close for player of the day. Up at Morton he made 73 of his side's modest 98 all out against Airedale. Mick Quinlan took 5-13 and Giles Wilmore 3-49.

The visitors were cruising at 61-0 and then Hopkinson, 6-29, and John Green, 4-22, put the skids under them and they were all out for 77.

Jimmy Nelson's batted first at a windswept Haworth West End and made 119-9, Duncan Ward top scoring with 29 and the "sylphlike" figure of Andy Benfield cutting through the wind for 22 overs to finish with a very creditable 5-44.

The Bronte side were reduced to 34-3 before Duncan Tetley with a fine knock of 49 took them to within sight of the finishing post. John Robinson then blasted a quickfire 23 not out to claim the points for his team.

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