THERE was very little movement in the First Division of the J P Mewies Craven & District Cricket League last weekend, with Haworth the only team to change places when they moved into seventh spot above Cowling.

Leaders Embsay were over at Haworth WE, the giant killers from last week, and batting first made 189-9 in their overs. Top scorers were skipper Duncan Ward, who made 57, and David Robinson, with 51. Jason Bilbrough was the most successful bowler with 3-58 off 18 overs.

The Bronte side's reply got off to a disastrous start with half the side gone for very little. Adam Bailey and Andy Benfield tried to recover things, but both perished for 23 and 27 respectively. From there the innings folded very quickly to 72 all out, John Metcalfe bowling superbly to finish with 7-21 off 15 overs.

Second-placed Oakworth were at Bradley and just like the game earlier in the season, it was a close run thing. The home side batted first and were dismissed for 76, with Ian Price scoring 45 of those. At one point they were 14-5 before Price put on 40 for the sixth wicket. He was next to last out as Michael Scarborough finished with 4-9 off nine overs and Dale Hoyle 3-8 from seven.

The Cure Hill side lost a couple of wickets early on, then progressed to 54 before four more wickets fell for the addition of 19 runs to set up a nervy finish before they reached their target in the 22nd over.

Third-placed Barrowford just came out on top in a high-scoring game at Cowling. The South Craveners made 206-5 in their innings, with Keith Woodhead making a splendid 94, Steve Richardson 37 and Steve Mitchell 34. The red rose side looked to be in a spot of bother before David Flounders took them to the points with 50no after Neil Hargreaves had earlier scored 45.

There was a thriller at Cullingworth, where visitors Thornton lost two wickets in the last over to go down by just three runs. The home side batted first and made 175, of which Steve Welch contributed 41 as Mark Laycock claimed 5-31. In the Booth Bridge Laners innings, Mark Beech top scored with 33 as Dave Robinson took 4-42 including those two in the last over.

Haworth spiked visitors Denholme's efforts to aid their relegation campaign. The latter posted 167 in their knock, with Gareth Marshall hitting 71 and Rob Taylor 33 as Damian Rowell took 5-56 and Richard Godden 4-41.

The Bronte side cantered to victory by five wickets, with Rowell making 45no and his brother Jamie 32. Adrian Ratcliffe also made 31 as Marshall finished with 4-62.

Bottom side Skipton CI kept their hopes of staying up alive when they beat Long Lee by two wickets at Sandylands. The 10-man Keighley side had Richard Ayrton with 57 and Stephen Doane 31 to thank mainly for their 145-7.

CI started well, with 67 for the first wicket, and things were looking good at 106-1, but then Paul Swindlehurst took five wickets, Mick Isles claimed a brace and at 139-8 the game was in the balance.

However, experienced John Drake knocked off the required runs to grab the points.

Second Division leaders Sutton had a profitable trip to Fence, winning by eight wickets. Pendle Forest made a modest 117, with Mark Holdsworth scoring 33no as Ben Bolland finished with 4-39 and Justin Holdsworth 4-46. Paul Williams 47no and Paul Hardaker 40 saw the South Craveners to their goal.

The race for the Third Division title took yet another twist as leaders Barrowford crashed by six wickets at home to Cowling.

The red rose side were restricted to 153 in their innings, with Nick Burton making 64. The visitors' skipper Mark Batty 69 and old warhorse Steve Dalby 44 set up the comfortable victory.

This allows Oakworth to go to the head of the pack again, a point in front of Barrowford and Embsay.