Contrary to the doom and gloom weather forecast for Sunday conditions were good for the Craven Cricket League and there were some sparkling performances by teams and individuals in the Wynn Cup Quarter-Finals.

The tie of the round was at Noyna where third-placed Foulridge entertained league leaders Oakworth and received a mauling, particularly from Michael Scarborough.

The Keighley side were asked to bat first and they smashed 222-7 with Scarborough hitting a magnificent 120 not out, Nawaz and Geoff Hurlstone taking three wickets apiece. In reply the home side were hustled out for a modest 83, Nawaz making 32 as Scarborough completed a fine game by taking 4-44 and Graham Rankin 3-17.

In the semi-finals on July 12 Oakworth will play Bradley, who travelled to Upper Wharfedale and gave them a sound thrashing by 10 wickets. The Dalesmen lost the crucial toss and were soon in trouble at 1-2. From there it was always a struggle and the innings closed on 113 in the 42nd over. John Williamson took 6-42 in 21 overs and Tim Rudden 4-46 in 14 overs. Top scorer was Jon Slater who made 27. The reply was stunning as the two Neils, Robinson and Andrews, strode majestically to victory. The former scored 53 not out and the latter 57 not out, the winning hit coming in the 33rd over.

Carleton were in splendid form on their travels to Cowling. Batting first they walloped 256 with skipper Ian Bell leading the way with 64, Ian Watson being the best of the bowlers with 3-41. The homesters were never in the hunt and they finished on 152 all out, Martin Rishton making 34 as Craig Wear took 4-33.

Carleton's opponents in the semis will be Cononley who travelled to Long Lee and were victorious by 52 runs. Batting first the South Craveners built on an opening partnership of 97 by Roger Nelson, 36, and Mark Iveson who went on to score 80, the final total being 188-6. John Tetley was the best of the bowlers with 3-62 off 18 overs.

The home side were in the hunt at 95-2, but Wayne Lee then found a spot on the wicket which helped him considerably and he finished with 6-47 as the innings crumbled to 136 all out. Colin Stead giving fiery support from the other end kept the pressure on to finish with 2-34 from 11.5 overs. For the Keighley side Richard Wilkinson battled bravely to 41 and Jan Haider made a gritty 24.

The semi-final venues will be announced later.

The Cowling Cup Quarter-Finals are this Sunday and the line-up is: Embsay v Long Lee; Haworth WE v Barrowford; Upper Wharfedale v Cowling; Cononley v Haworth.

With the weather at last relenting there was a full programme of matches on Saturday.

In the First Division the top five teams were all successful, four in stunning fashion. Leaders Oakworth were at home to next to bottom Gargrave and batting first they plundered 220 with Michael Scarborough making 85 and Graham Rankin, 34, with T Flood taking 4-68.

In the reply only M Clayton with 41 offered much resistance as the side closed on 94, Jeff Inman taking 5-35 and Rankin 4-8.

Second-placed Embsay were down at Cononley and soon had the home side in trouble at 8-4. Neil Coward, 28, led a rearguard action which pushed the score to 74 as Stephen Speak took 4-30 in 18 overs with Scott Robinson and Nasir Hussain sharing the other six wickets. Brian Hodgson spearheaded the reply with 36 not out which helped to secure victory by seven wickets.

Third-placed Foulridge had a very narrow escape at home to bottom club Cowling. Batting first the Noyna side rattled up 224-4 with Nawaz clattering 82 not out, Jason Bracewell, 53, and Phil Swarbrick, 48.

Undaunted the white rose side made every effort to reach the target. Sadly for them they fell just five runs short with three wickets standing, needing six off the last ball to win.

Junior Martyn Dalby made a very creditable 73 and skipper David Watson 51.

Fourth-placed Carleton were in sparkling form at home to Bradley. They plundered 191-9 with Lee Barrett scoring 50 and David Whiteley 47 as Neil Andrews claimed 4-66.

The visitors were never in the hunt despite 43 from Andrews and they were dismissed for 91 with Craig Wear taking 4-29.

Fifth-placed Haworth entertained Pendle Forest and crept home by the narrow margin of two wickets. The red rose side batted first on a soft wicket and were restricted to 127 with Andrew Townsend top scoring with 40 as Jamie Rowell claimed 4-38. Richard Powell, 40, and skipper Adrian Radcliffe with 25 just got the Bronte side home. Townsend completed a satisfactory personal day by taking 4-37.

Upper Wharfedale moved themselves two places further away from the bottom two by defeating visitors Sutton for the second time this season - they won at Sutton in the Wynn Cup Second Round.

The South Craveners were restricted to 140-8, skipper Paul Hardaker scoring 49 and Danny Brown 31 as Martin Foulds took 3-17 and Tom Whitaker 3-35. In the Dalesmen's reply Kevin Holme scored a stylish 71 and Alex Howarth 55 not out as they romped home by eight wickets.

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