The Craven Cricket League side gave an exceptional account of themselves against a Nidderdale League side at Pateley Bridge on Monday.

They were going well before being hit by hurricane Milburn and whirlwind Ray in the final 10 overs of the game.

Craven were put into bat and struggled early on against the pace of ex-Yorkshire and Hampshire player Stuart Milburn and ex-Bradford League man Josh Overend. The first wicket fell at 12 then David Holt (Thornton) and Gareth Marshall (Cullingworth) put together a partnership of 82 before the Holt was adjudged lbw in the 24th over.

Charlie Hainsworth (Haworth Road) joined Marshall and made 22 getting the score to 135. Mark Price (Glusburn) and Marshall cut loose and progressed the score to 179 with some tremendous shots.

In going for another big hit, Marshall holed out for a splendid 93 which included three sixes and 14 fours. Neil Copping went quickly then Price and Chris White took the score to 209-6 at the close of the overs.

White's knock of 13 not out included one spectacular strike which went clean out of the ground and across the main road.

Nidderdale's innings was being kept under control by some good bowling and they had reached 89-4 at the end of the 30th over.

At this point the batters went up three gears and the ball started zinging to the boundary.

A total of 60 runs came off just six overs and then Ray and Milburn thrashed everything in sight as the last 60 required came off just 21 balls to leave Craven's efforts in tatters.

Ray scored 49no and Milburn 28no in only 7 scoring shots.

Craven 209-6

Nidderdale 211-6.

Craven: S Bailey c Furness b Overend 3, D Holt lbw Ray 39, G Marshall c Durrance b Milburn 93, C Hainsworth c Danby b Ellis 22, M Price ro 21, N Copping c Furness b Milburn 0, C White 13no extras 18 total 209-6.

Bowling: Milburn 8-1-20-2, Overend 7-3-19-1, Gott 6-1-25-0, Uffindall 5-0-32-0, Ray 7-0-44-1, Ellis 7-0-53-1.

Nidderdale: T Durrance b Copping 32, O Uffindall c Holdsworth b Craddock 0, R Danby c Craddock b Copping 33, D Simpson b Holdsworth 8, W Ray 49no, P Gowery st Tiffany b Holdsworth 24, A Ellis c Copping b Marshall 27, S Milburn 28no extras 10 total 211-6

Bowling: Dalby 7-3-33-1, Craddock 7-3-32-1, White 4-1-28-0, Copping 8-3-20-2, Holdsworth 8-0-43-2, Marshall 5.3-0-45-1.