Long Lee had to work hard to clear water from their ground before their game against Embsay could get off to a late start.

The Shires Lane side were put in and from the first ball, which was dispatched for six by David Robinson, the tone was set. Rain interrupted play for 20 minutes but then the score rattled on to 212-4.

A brilliant 115no by Duncan Ward included nine sixes and nine fours. Poor Matt Taylor bowled his heart out to finish with 3-102 - having at least three chances missed off him.

The Keighley side also set off in determined mood. After losing Jan Haider, Richard Granger and Mick Iles took the attack to the leaders both scored 50 and then perished. This handed to initiative back to Embsay and tightened things up to restrict Long Lee to 161-6. Stephen Speak finishing with 3-50 off 13 overs.

Monumental groundwork at Cure Hill on Friday night and Saturday morning ensured that play got of to a prompt start. Cowling were asked to bat first and struggled to 119-8. G Frankland top scored with 48 as Michael Scarborough and Jeff Inman took three wickets each.

The second placed team cantered to an eight-wicket triumph with Rob Hopkinson making 38 and Mark Price 37no.

Third placed Barrowford made the short journey to Pendle Forest and despite missing several players due to David Flounder's wedding came away the points. The Fence side batted first and were restricted to 115 with opener Andrew Maudsley making 44 as Ajmal Choudry claimed 5-28 and Neil Hargreaves 4-26. The visitors reached their target in the 43rd over for the loss of five wickets. At 85-5 things were looking dodgy but then Hargreaves 45no and Keith Parkinson 22no saw their side home.

Haworth defeated Thornton by one wicket after the Booth Bridge side were restricted to 135-9. Mark Proctor with 42 took the batting honours as Jamie Rowell took 5-60 and Richard Godden 4-30. The Bronte side were quickly reduced to 28-5, which became 58-6. Here Godden was joined by Karl Brown and saw the score to 79-7 a position which still favoured the home side. Godden going for 34, then Brown went for 30 at 105. The ninth wicket fell at 122 then Anthony Godden who finished on 26no and R Armstrong saw them through to victory.

Bottom side Foulridge travelled to Cullingworth and received news of the death of their clubmate at Noyna during the game. The home side offered to call the game off but the visitors decided to play on.

They went down by 60 runs after the homesters batted first and amassed 220-8 in their innings, with Andy Hodgson cracking a superb 118no. Chris Brooker-Carey was the leading scorer for Foulridge as they replied with 160.

There was no play between Skipton CI and Bradley.

Haworth WE, leaders of the Division Two, were in good form at home to Gargrave. They restricted the visitors to 102-7. Ray Jones scoring 59. The reply was stunning as they cantered to a fine 10-wicket win. Tim Welch scoring 78no.

Second placed Sutton were too strong for visitors Cononley. The homesters batted first and posted 164-7 with Paul Hardaker scoring 60 and Danny Brown 41. Willie Naylor took 3-7 in just two overs. The reply petered out at 97 as Darren Wild claimed 6-42.

Ingrow St John's travelled to J Nelson's, lost by ten runs and lost third spot to Denholme.

Airedale were the visitors at Denholme and saw the homeside rattle up 227-8 with skipper Gareth Marshall scoring a fine 106 and Rob Taylor 52. The Keighley side made a brave attempt in reply only falling 30 runs short. Mark Allcock 61 and Phil Loftus 53 led the way as Marshall claimed 5-35 and Dave Taylor 5-74.

Glusburn just got the better of Carleton at Ramper Park, winning by three wickets. The home side struggled to 100-5. Neville Allen scored 42 as Simon Hagerty took 3-48. Alan Coney scored a match winning 30no for the winners as I Wellock took 4-45.

W Exley 39 and I Wilce 5-34 were the stars of Ingrow's five-wicket victory over visitors Chatburn. S Draycott made 45 and Neil Cartledge took 4-48 for the Ribble Valley side.

Embsay's lead at the top of Division Three is now 10 points after they beat Cullingworth, and Barrowford went down to Skipton CI.

The Shires Lane side were put in and made 161-7 with Andy Bell leading the way on 49. The visitors started brightly but collapsed to 75 all out with Nas Hussain taking 5-26.

At the Bull Holme, Skipton CI amassed 194-7. In reply the Barrowford crashed to 156 all out, and drop to third place.

Thornton move into second spot, on run rate, after a solid win at Glusburn. The homesters were restricted to 129 in their innings with Malc Holt taking 5-34. The West Craven side recorded a five-wicket triumph with the Somerset marauder, John Roughton, making 53no.

Oakworth's good form continued as they travelled to Bradley and made 162-8 with Gary Searby scoring 60. The homesters were all out for 129.

Pendle Forest's Nick Jones took 5-7 as Cowling were dismissed for 88. However this proved not to be good enough as his side perished for just 56 in reply as Mark Batty took 4-27 and evergreen Vern Rooke spun his way to 4-6.

Another veteran, John Tetley, claimed 8-67 at Haworth, as the home side mustered 172-9. Colin Williamson 76 lead the way and Glenn Ogden chipping in with 33. The Bronte side then polished Long Lee off for 139. Paul McCullough scoring 48, Huma Shazad 45 as Craig Ogden took 4-34

Division Four was the hardest hit by the weather with no play between Airedale and Ingrow, Gargrave and Long Lee III, or Ingrow St John's and Keighley TC. The Saints stay in top spot and increase their lead to seven points as second placed Chatburn tumbled to an unexpected defeat at the hands of Sutton.

The South Craveners won by 22 runs with Tony Walton 61 and B Airey 4-39 stars of the show.

Cononley recorded a fine victory over visitors Denholme.

Foulridge had reached 78-7 when their game against Pendle Forest III waqs abandoned following the death of 39-year-old David Maxwell while batting.

Tim Welch (above)