EMBSAY have been favourites to retain their J P Mewies Craven & District League title for a few weeks now and duly completed the task against their local rivals Thornton on Saturday, although even in their wildest dreams they could not have foreseen how easy it would be.

Against what has been one of their bogey sides in recent years, especially at home, they galloped to the points by 10 wickets. Thornton were asked to bat first and on a lively wicket never got to grips with the bowling of John Metcalfe and Stephen Speak.

Only two players managed double figures as they were hustled out for 44 in 23.5 overs, Speak finishing with 5-16 and Metcalfe 5-24.

The Shires Laners took their time and reached their target in the 13th over, skipper Duncan Bullough making 24no and Simon Bailey 16no.

Oakworth enjoyed a fine eight-wicket victory over visitors Haworth. After losing three quick wickets, Jamie Rowell, with 89no, pulled the Bronte side's innings together and they closed on 168-6, with Michael Scarborough claiming 5-37.

The latter then shared in a match-winning third-wicket partnership of 166 with Steve Hartley, who made 39no. Scarborough scored 116no which included 17 fours and four sixes.

Fourth-placed Cullingworth sprang a surprise at Barrowford, although it was a very close run thing. The red rose side were brushed aside for 77, with David Robinson taking 5-29. The visitors crept home by one wicket as Ajmal Choudry took 4-16. Steve Welch scored 27 for the winners.

Bottom side Skipton scored a welcome seven-wicket victory at Bradley to keep themselves in with a slim chance of avoiding relegation. They hustled the home side out for 113 and then Nick Williamson 41 and Simon Bates 37no took them to the spoils.

There was another narrow finish at Cowling, where Long Lee ran out winners by just three runs. The Keighley side posted 174, thanks mainly to Stephen Doane 61 and Paul Stowell 46 as Ian Watson and Nick Staveley bagged three wickets each.

David Hindle, with 55, tried in vain to snatch the points, but Paul Swindlehurst, with 6-88, was the match-winner.

The battle for the second relegation spot between Haworth WE and Denholme contained a nice sporting gesture.

The Penistone Hill side batted first and had reached 50-4 when Adam Bailey drove a ball back close to bowler Gareth Marshall, who took off and caught the ball one handed then fell to the ground.

Bailey started to walk disconsolately back to the pavilion only to be recalled by the bowler who told the umpire that he had dropped the ball as he landed on it.

The batsman, who had only made six at that point, went on to top score with 46 as his side closed on 186, Stuart Cummings being the most successful bowler with 5-60.

The visitors started brightly, but then fell apart to close on 122, with Rob Taylor making 40 as Jason Bilbrough all but ensured his side's safety with stunning figures of 8-53 from 18.1 overs.

Second Division leaders Sutton edged closer to promotion and the title after they crushed nine-man visitors Jimmy Nelson's.

The home side rattled up 265-4 in their overs, with Malcolm Ellison and Paul Hardaker making 64 apiece, Paul Williams 55 and Alan Johnson 38no. The red rose visitors closed on 74-8.

The battle for the second promotion place is turning into a terrific race. With both Foulridge and Cononley having identical records, the decisive factor is run rate. Currently the former have 19.09 runs per wicket to the latter's 18.99.