A gap has opened at the top of the first division. Oakworth now lead Embsay following their victory over Haworth WE and Embsay's defeat at Haworth.

The leaders entertained Thornton at Cure Hill and saw them rattle up 181 in their innings. Opener Tim Gates scored a solid 95 as Graham Rankin, making a rare first team appearance this season, took 5-66. Oakworth's opener John Crossley perished first ball. However in-form Robert Hopkinson was in the runs again as he scored 78no to go with a fine knock of 54no by Adam Fradley. This saw his side home by seven wickets with just over eight overs to spare.

Meanwhile across the valley second placed Embsay were tackling Haworth. The Shires Lane struggled to 106 on a difficult track. Jason Waddington top scoring with 36 as Derek Bright claimed 5-16. The Bronte side also struggled for a while before Damian Rowell took a grip of things. He took advantage of two lives to score 50 which saw his side win by four wickets. Haworth go third with Thornton dropping to fourth.

Bradley are fifth after seeing off Long Lee. Good all round play saw them to 219-4 in their overs, Ian Price leading the way with 49 and Craig Tempest 39no. The Keighley side were never really in the hunt and were dismissed for 159, Richard Wilkinson scoring 34no as Tim Rudden took 7-78.

Barrowford are sixth after pounding next to bottom Sutton into submission. The Bull Holme amassed 239-6 in their overs, David Hartley and Kevin Lyons both scoring 50. Glen Hargreaves with 5-39 put the skids under the South Craveners and they were dismissed for 77.

Skipton CI are seventh after brushing bottom side Carleton aside to win by eight wickets. Zufar Iqbal 3-19 and Nick Williamson 3-30 helping the Ramper Park side back to the pavilion for just 65. Neville Allan continuing his good form with 34. Williamson then clattered 42no to see his side home.

Cowling drop to eight after slipping up at Haworth WE. The Bronte side batted first and made 166 with Duncan Tetley making 65 as youngster Graham Rishton claimed 6-52. Adam and Damian Bailey with 5-53 and 4-40 respectively had the visitors dismissed for 100.

Pendle Forest move into ninth spot just above Foulridge who they beat by eight wickets. The Noyna side were restricted to 122 with Moham-med Nawaz scoring 63. Andrew Townsend with 4-22 was the most successful bowler. The Fence side galloped home with M Ayub scoring 57.

Second division leaders Cullingworth were in spark-ling form at home to Airedale. They blasted 241-9 in their overs, Mark Jones scoring 79, A Hodgson 43 and Steve Welch 30 as Ben Guest claimed 4-76 in 17.2 overs. Airedale collapsed to 72 all out with D Robinson taking 6-14 and Chris Welch 4-35. Top scorer was extras with 27.

Chatburn remain three points behind after visiting and accounting for Denholme by 39 runs. The Ribblesdale side clattered 225-8 with John Lockley scoring 80no and Basil Brooks 59. In reply Rod Taylor with 84 ensured that the homesters put up a creditable reply which closed on 186-8.

Cononley and Ingrow St John's game was fairly similar. The Saints blasted 260-6 in their innings with Colin Bottomley scoring a superb 100 and Wasim 70. The South Craveners made a solid reply of 184-9 with Charles Calvert making 52.

Bottom side Keighley TC were shot out for 39 by Glusburn down at Rose Cottage. Brian Hollis 6-22 and Steve Filkin 4-11 doing the damage. The visitors lost two wickets reaching their target.

Visitors Jimmy Nelson's had a surprise in store for Ingrow. They made a steady 156 in their innings. Tony Stafford lead the way with 72 as H Williamson took 5-36 from nine overs. The Keighley side were dismissed for 117 with D Hoyle making 36 as Stafford claimed 3-18 and D Greenwood 3-43.

Third division leaders Oakworth were stunned at Embsay as the home side overcame 192 for the loss of only two wickets. The visitors won the toss and batting first plundered 192 off a weakened attack. Youngsters Drew Duffy 60 and Wayne Fradley 50 leading the way. Stevie Pexton stuck to his task to finish with 6-66. The reply got off to a bright start with 47 for the first wicket. Brian Hodgson and Andy Bell took the score to 111 where the former perished for 45. Paul Barwick joined Bell, crash 37no to go with the latter's 71no as the points were taken with 4.2 overs left.

Pendle Forest jump into top spot after a narrow 11 run victory at Glusburn. The Fence had Peter Thackray with 60 to thank for their 174, Matt Lloyd taking 4-24. The latter tried valiantly to hold things together before he went for 58 with the score on 113. It was always a struggle before the innings closed on 163-9. A Akhtar claimed 6-51.

John Roughton 74 and Jeff Tipler 37no helped Thornton to 211-6 against Sutton over at Gargrave. The visitors replied with 124-7 with D Holdsworth making 50no.

Bradley scored a creditable 169 in their innings at home to Long Lee. Chris Simpson 64 and J Rowan 40 putting on 98 for the first wicket. Evergreen John Tetley took 7-67 in 21.2 overs. Opener James Wilkinson with 103no was the lynchpin of the Keighley side's four wicket victory.

Barrowford saw off the challenge of Haworth by 40 runs, and Skipton CI received three points when Chatburn were unable to raise a side.

Fourth division leaders, Foulridge, maintained their slender one point lead without bowling a ball. Their opponents Keighley TC were unable to raise a side. Second placed Ingrow St John's were in good form at home to Cononley. The visitors made 134 with K Gott scoring 57 as veteran John Jickells took 4-21. Barry Wood 55no and David Unwin 52 saw the Saints home by nine wickets.

Tony Dimuantes 62 and I Wilson 50 helped visitors Cullingworth to 215-7 in their innings at Airedale. The homesters replied with 169-6 with M Gill making 61.

Finally Pendle Forest sneaked home by just four runs at home to Ingrow.