THE Timothy Taylor’s Craven League were certainly feeling at their ‘’golden best’ after an unbeaten century from Cameron Knowles propelled them to victory over the Theakston Nidderdale League in their annual Nidderdale Show match at Pateley Bridge.

The Nidderdale League won the toss and opted to bat in the 40 overs-per-side end-of-season contest on an overcast day but were soon put on the back foot by a superb opening spell by Bowling Baptists’ Mohammad Zulfiqar Khan (2-13).

Opener Richard Harland was eventually out for 34 and Silsden’s Dom Mortimer (3-28), Hepworth & Idle’s Jonny Thompson (2-20) and Sutton’s Dave Snowden (2-25), who skippered the team and got a wicket with a half-tracker, helped to restrict the hosts to 166.

After Sunday lunch in the showground marquee, Khan hit two fours in the first over but was soon out, Snowden was caught at point and Thompson was stumped down the leg-side.

However, Silsden’s Cameron Knowles, who seemed to be playing on a different wicket to everyone else, hurried the Craven League to victory by scoring 103 not out off 80 balls, including 13 fours and six sixes.

Gargrave’s John Beckwith played sensibly alongside man-of-the-match Knowles, making 32 not out in an unbroken stand of 85, with the Craven League winning the game in just 23.5 overs.

John Beckwith was not out at the end as the Craven League claimed a comprehensive win.John Beckwith was not out at the end as the Craven League claimed a comprehensive win. (Image: Stephen Garnett.)

It was their first victory in the contest since the back-to-back wins of 2017 and 2018.

Snowden said: “I had the same difficulty as last year in getting the team together, with a few drop-outs during the week, but luckily I had a few lads to help me get players in, and the lads who came in did a really good job and it wasn’t too bad in the end.

“We had a few Division Two players in, but they didn’t look out of place at all (particularly Knowles, Mortimer and Khan).

“We did well to restrict them to 166, although they got a bit of momentum in the middle, but a couple of quick wickets at the end reduced their total.

“We were quietly confident at tea, and Cameron did really well. Everyone contributed in their own way."

Knowles, who scored 34 the last time the Craven League won in 2018, said: “I felt good from the off, apart from a couple of loose shots at the beginning.

“It was sticking in the wicket a bit, but I am used to playing on soft decks in the Craven League.

“It wasn’t the best I have batted this season as I thought that my ton in the league earlier in the season was better. It is not normally my game to be a bit of a slogger.”

Knowles was vastly underselling himself there, but he was a bit more positive when asked about the 2025 campaign with Silsden, who have just been promoted to the top flight.

He enthused: “I think that we will go well as long as we sign a couple of players and don’t lose any.”