For once Booth won a key toss and with rain forecast, gratefully inserted Old Crocs.

Budding all-rounder Richard Laycock made an instant impact having the dangerous Akhtar caught at second slip off the fourth ball, then Collinge matched it with a wicket with the fourth ball of the second over, taxi-mogul Aslam arriving on time to pick up a fine catch at cover.

Laycock clean- bowled Husain to leave the hosts reeling at 15 for 3.

But Crocs showed some snap with the tail wagging violently. Some rustic hitting rarely seen in the MCC coaching manual, plus a fair share of luck saw them clamber to 248 for 8 – captain Sykes running up 65 and the t-shirted Davis a unique 41 not out – far more than Booth would've liked.

Richard Laycock finished with the impressive figures of 14-3-52-4.

For once though, Booth got the better of the rain breaks and with the tea interval extended due to a lengthy shower, the total was reduced to 220.

Openers Mosley and Brown set about the task with gusto posting another century stand, before Brown got his calculations wrong and was bowled by the impressive Hussain for a tidy 39. A further rain break reduced the target to 205, whereafter Mosley raced to 78 before he too was undone by Hussain.

It was left to man-of-the-moment, Laycock to bring proceedings to a close. As the run-rate crept up, Richard gave another exhibition of imperious hitting.

He struck 22 disdainful runs off one White over that included three towering sixes, to see Booth home with ease.

Tom Earle hit 67 but Mytholmroyd saw their title aspirations hit following an eight wicket defeat at the hands of Copley.

Royd scored 196 and then saw that eroded by the weather, the total first of all coming down to 173 in the final five overs and then 169 in the last.

As a result Neil Whittaker (25no) and Mark Baldwin (8no) were able to steer Copley home.

In Division one Luddenden Foot successfully reached a reduced total of 154 against Oxenhope and took ten vital points.

Bowlers were on top in Division two as 10-man Old Town lost to Augustinians.

Town could manage just 64 for nine with Jamil's 21 their top score.

The total was never going to tax Augustinians and they duly wrapped things up in double quick time, Richard Heywood unbeaten on 29 at the end.

Booth seconds took maximum points against Sowerby.

A half century from opener Johnstone and useful contributions from Thomas, 35no, O'Brien, 29, and Highley, 25, saw them to a total of 183 for 9.

Sowerby's target was reduced to 171 by rain but they were rarely in the hunt as Nigel Horsfall, 5 for 64, and Oliver, 4 for 23, combined to dismiss them for 134.