A large crowd gathered at Gargrave on Sunday to watch an intriguing Craven Cricket League Wynn Cup Final between Carleton - in the final for the first time - and Oakworth, and it was Carleton who emerged triumphant by seven wickets.

Oakworth, riding high in the league, came into the final, their fifth, on the back of an impressive victory at Upper Wharfedale the previous day while Carleton had faltered slightly with two successful defeats.

Carleton won the toss and asked their opponents to bat first and tight bowling and excellent fielding kept things very tight. Openers John Crossley, 35, and Steve Lilley, 39, put on 86 for the first wicket before both perished on that score but by then 32 overs had elapsed.

The new batsmen were under pressure to push the scoring along and Jason Lockley was run out for two by a superb direct hit from Steve Carling, and Michael Thompson, 6, and Graham Rankin, 8, went taking the score to 125-5.

Captain Michael Scarborough and Steve Hartley pushed that to 146 when both were out, Scarborough for 25 and Hartley for 16, and the tail could only add another 10 to see the score to 156-9, Martyn Windle taking 4-32 in eight overs and Craig Wear 2-39 in 14.

Would it be enough? Would Carleton maintain the excellent discipline they had shown while fielding?

They too started quietly but confidently, Windle and Carling putting on 66 in 20 overs when the latter went for 21, adjudged caught behind. Skipper Iain Bell with 24 took the score to 110 when he was bowled by fifth change Crossley. Around the 30th over the innings became becalmed for five overs with very few runs scored. Scarborough brought himself back on and strangely the scoring picked up. Graham Summersgill made 24 before he was well caught by Scarborough trying to hit over the top with the score on148. All the while Windle had been accumulating runs at the other end and when Wear crashed the winning four Windle had made 76 not out in 155 minutes, the winning runs coming in the 40th over and the Carleton total being 157-3.

Thankfully apart from a 10-minute shower the weather had been kind and at the presentation Gargrave were thanked for their ground efforts which had again turned out a well prepared field of play. Mr Ian Bradbury, of sponsors Dacre, Son and Hartley presented the trophies to the players, scorers and officials, and the umpires had the easiest of tasks in awarding the man of the match trophy to Martyn Windle for his 4-32 and 76 not out.

The sides were: Carleton -- Martyn Windle, Steve Carling, captain Iain Bell, Graham Summersgill, Craig Wear, David Whiteley, Lee Barrett, Andrew Strickland, Robert Walker, Ian Poulter, Peter Wrathmell.

Oakworth -- John Crossley, Steve Lilley, captain Michael Scarborough, Jason Lockley, Michael Thompson, Graham Rankin, Steve Hartley, Tim Walsh, Jeff Inman, Tim Brunskill, Simon Howell.

It was a fine day on Saturday with all matches played and completed and with very little alteration in the divisions with the exception of the third.

First Division leaders Embsay entertained Carleton and scored 189-6. Skipper Chris Davies, 34, and Dave Robinson, 32, opened with 65 for the first wicket and Duncan Bullough, 71 not out, carried on the good work with Brian Hodgson chipping in with 21, Graham Summersgill taking 4-41.

The visitors started brightly with 40 for the first wicket but were then pegged back by some excellent bowling from Daniel Stephens who finished with 7-51. Steve Carling made 36 and Lee Barrett a defiant 23 not out batting at No 9 as the villagers closed on 130.

Second-placed Oakworth made their longest journey to Upper Wharfedale and recorded a comprehensive victory by 150 runs.

Batting first the Cure Hill side blasted 215-5. Steve Hartley, 50, helped put on 79 for the first wicket and Steve Lilley chipped in with 31, Michael Scarborough with 54 and Graham Rankin with 28 not out. The Dalesmen were never in the hunt and were shot out for 65. Only Glen Harrison with 34 not out showed any resistance as Scarborough took 5-32 and Rankin 4-29.

Haworth maintain third spot after a 63-run victory down at Sutton, Jamie Rowell, 56, and Stuart Ratcliffe, 57, helped the Bronte side to 193-7. Rowell then took 5-61 as the home side were dismissed for 130, Craig Thornton scoring 33.

Bradley move into fourth spot after winning at Cowling. The home side were progressing reasonably well until James Heseltine came on to bowl and his left arm spin claimed 7-27 as 132 were made, Neil Hargreaves making 43. Paul Wilkinson, 67 not out, and John Brearley, 42 not out, ensured that victory for the visitors was achieved by six wickets.

Cononley came within a whisker of taking all three points up at Foulridge. Sadly for them they tied in the penultimate over and had to settle for two points. The Noyna side struggled to 105 with M Nawaz top scoring with 30. Colin Stead took 5-44 off 20.4 overs and Matt Town 4-50. R Miller, 18, was the top scorer in the reply as Nawaz claimed 4-56.

Bottom-placed Gargrave had no luck on their travels to Fence. John Hargreaves, 68 not out, and Pete Atkinson, 33, helped Pendle Forest to 173-9 with Ray Jones taking 5-84. The visitors could only manage 97 in reply.

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