WITH only three points separating the top five sides in the Craven Cricket League, among them defending champions Embsay and promoted Long Lee, the second half of the season offers a mouth-watering prospect.

Thornton, who finished last season in the bottom three, took over the leadership this week, just a point ahead of Embsay, with Oakworth coming with a wet-sail to be one point further adrift in third.

Long Lee were ousted from top-spot after a defeat by Skipton Church Institute, who were promoted with them at the end of last season but have not been doing as well, and they are now three points off the pace alongside Pendle Forest, who finished fourth last season.

Paul Wilkinson led the way for Long Lee with a useful 59 and although John Drake's 5-45 was a valuable effort for the visitors, a 188-9 total still represented a tall order for the Skipton side.

At 31-3, the picture didn't look too rosy for Skipton, but once Kieran Coe (53) and Nick Williamson (50) came together in an 85-run partnership, the pendulum swung dramatically, although with only five balls to spare at the close, the contest went to the wire.

Thornton were always in control as they beat Haworth by eight wickets to move into top spot. Tight bowling by Mark Paxton (4-44) and Stephen Lodge (4-47) restricted Haworth to 93 all out and the home side were never in trouble securing an eight-wicket victory.

Embsay moved into second place after winning at Carleton, one of their bogey grounds of late. The Shires Lane side were biting their fingernails at 7-2, but David Robinson (77) and Wally Robertson (55) put on 117 for the third wicket to set up a 189-8 target. John Metcalfe (6-32) then took control as Carleton were bowled out for 69.

Struggling Cowling reached a creditable 152-6 against in-form Oakworth, Simon Spencer (50no) leading the resistance, but this proved no problem for the Cure Hill men. John Crossley (87no) continued his run-spree and with Lee Hollingworth (54) set the side up for a nine-wicket win.

Pendle Forest moved into fourth place after a high-scoring win over Bradley. The home side had opener Ayub (62) one of four players topping the 40-mark and their 237-8 total put them in a strong position. Bradley refused to be intimidated, however, and had Messrs Robinson (51) and Milburn (60) heading a spirited response which finally ended at 210.

The basement-battle between Sutton and Barrowford went to the visitors, whose 149-6 tally proved sufficient. They had Kevin Lyons (57no) providing the back-bone to their innings and although Paul Williams (42) and Neil Hardaker (40) sought to match him, a good all-round bowling effort by the Barrowford attack saw Sutton dismissed for 128.

Barnoldswick must have fancied their chances when they dismissed Division Two leaders Ingrow St John's for 113, Peter Pickup (5-56) and Mel Parker (4-38) doing the damage. Anthony Haigh (6-36), however, proved the match-winner as the visitors were dismissed for 92.

Like the 'Saints', Haworth West End must have been apprehensive when they were bowled out for 129 by Gargrave, Rod Moon (7-57) posing plenty of problems, but Jason Bilbrough (5-36) produced a decisive spell as Gargrave were shot out for 74.

A seventh-wicket partnership of 65 between Matt Lloyd (37) and David Barton (31) lifted Glusburn from 77-6 to 168-8, but even that valiant effort went unrewarded, Rod Taylor (70no), David Wear (45) and Gareth Marshall (49) carrying the side to an eight-wicket win.

Chatburn rattled up 219-5 at home to Cononley, with Steve Proctor making 90 and Ted Topham 61, and with Richard Shovelton (6-62) in good form, even Tom Palin's 60 was not enough to save the visitors, who were all out for 165.

Stephen Adams (7-53) and Chris Wilkinson (50) were the heroes of Keighley Tech's first win of the season at home to Jimmy Nelson's, while at the top of Division Three, Embsay continue to dominate. A six-wicket win over Pendle Forest combined with a surprise defeat by Thornton to put the Shires Lane men nine points clear at the top. Embsay were chasing only 105 for victory over the Fence side, but they needed nearly 40 overs before getting home by four wickets. Bradley hit 226-9 at home to Thornton, Mick Hall (63) and Ian Price (45) both in good fettle, Hall completing a sound day's work with a 5-18 return as Thornton fell for just 87.

Long Lee stalwart John Tetley was another successful all-rounder, making 42 and then claiming 6-16 as the Keighley side beat Barrowford by 59 runs.

Skipton CI had a surprise in store for visiting Oakworth. They made 164-4, Matthew Wilson carrying his bat for 71 before Jason Stuttard (5-37) helped put the opposition out for 116.

The derby at Glusburn proved a one-sided affair. Sutton were 9-4 at one point before recovering to 132, but Phil Taylor (79no) and Chris Baxter (40no) saw the home side to a ten-wicket win.

None of the day's players, however, whether successful with bat or ball, will have enjoyed their sport on Saturday more than Pendle Forest's evergreen David Hall. He celebrated his 64th birthday when he hit an unbeaten 58 to steer his side to a seven-wicket win over Keighley Tech.