Runs were hard to come by on a wicket of low bounce in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League Wynn Cup final at Gargrave yesterday.
A decent crowd had gathered for the eagerly-awaited clash between Cullingworth and Oakworth, and the latter won the toss and decided to bat.
But the Cure Hill side lost the prolific Jack Hainsworth for nine with the score on 13, and the belligerent Rob Hopkinson also went for nine to make it 21-2 in the tenth over.
Paul Spragg went for six but Michael Scarborough and skipper Joel Gallagher put on 30 for the fourth wicket before the latter departed for eight.
Chris Welch was introduced to the attack in the 26th over and in nine overs took 4-23, including the wicket of Scarborough, who had fought a rearguard action for 99 balls and scored 42 – the only player to reach double figures in the innings.
A total of 20 extras boosted the total to 116 all out, with Luke Taylor taking 2-25, Phil Poole 2-29 and Graham Rankin 1-21.
The Cullingworth reply got off to a worse poor start and they reached 21-4 in the tenth over.
Chris Welch then dug in to play the anchor role. He lost Sam Murphy for two to make it 37-5, and Jack Davidson was introduced to the attack and induced Graham Rankin to miscue to mid-off, only for the chance to be dropped.
Rankin went on to make 16 and get the score to 74-6 in the 24th over. By this time, Welch was getting into his stride and he was joined by George Fletcher.
Oakworth knew they had to gamble and brought back opening bowlers Steve Filkin and Scarborough in an effort to get a breakthrough.
Sadly for them one didn’t come and both batters played some cracking shots. The Roydwood Terrace side reached their target in the 35th over with Welch on 55 not out and Fletcher on 15 not out.
Scarborough finished with 3-25 off his 12 overs, Filkin 2-37 and Adam Smith 1-20.
At the presentation, Gargrave were thanked for their efforts with the ground and refreshments, and Dacre Son & Hartley (Keighley office) for their continued sponsorship.
The trophies were presented by Geoff Fisher (Denholme) – a member of the league executive - and the umpires made Chris Welch man of the match for his unbeaten 55 and 4-23.
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