Long Lee let their lead at the top of the table slip when they went down to defeat by Skipton CI -- but with just three points between the top five clubs there is everything to play for in the second half of the season.

The Keighley side batted first and felt confident of defending 188-9 with Paul Wilkinson top scoring. But Kieran Coe (53) and Nick Williamson (50) guided the Sandylands side to victory with just five balls to spare.

Thornton jumped to the top after dismissing Haworth for 93 with Mark Paxton and Stephen Lodge taking four wickets each. The home side secured an eight-wicket victory.

Cowling's perilous position at the bottom was not helped when they visited Oakworth and ran into in-form John Crossley. He scored 87 not out to go with Lee Hollingsworth's 54 to set up a stunning nine-wicket win for the Cure Hill side. Simon Spencer scored 50 not out in Cowling's innings of 152-6.

The win moves Oakworth into third place behind Embsay who beat Carleton with David Robinson (77) and Wally Robertson (55) putting on 117 for the third wicket. John Metcalfe took 6-32 as they secured victory.

Pendle Forest join Long Lee in fourth spot after taking the honours in a high scoring game against Bradley. Mo Ayub led the way with 62 as the Lancashire side scored 233-8 and Bradley fell just 23 runs short with M Milbourn scoring 60 and Neil Robinson 51.

In the basement battle Sutton's batting let them down after they restricted Barrowford to 149-6 with Jimmy McCormack taking five for 41. Paul Williams (42) led the Sutton reply.

Ingrow St John's continued at the top of the Second Division with a superb victory over Barnoldswick III despite being dismissed for 113. Anthony Haigh hit back taking six wickets for just 36 runs as the 'Barlick' side were whipped out for 92.

Haworth West End are breathing down the necks and fought back after being dismissed for 129 at Gargrave. Jason Bilbrough was chief destroyer with six for 36 as the home side were brushed aside for 74.

Denholme are also up there at the top and saw Glusburn make 168-8 with Matt Lloyd (37) and Dave Barton (31) rescue them with a seventh wicket partnership of 65. However, Denholme sauntered home by eight wickets with Rod Taylor 70 not out, David Wear (45) and Gareth Marshall 49.

Chatburn rattled up 219-5 at home to Cononley with Steve Proctor scoring 90 and Ted Topham 61.the South Craven side missed out by 54 runs despite a fighting 60 from Tom Palin.

Foulridge beat Airedale by 53 runs after Tom Stephenson took 8-40.

Keighley Tech won their first game of the season at home to Jimmy Nelson's. Rose Cottage skipper Stephen Adams took 7-53 and Chris Wilkinson 50 were heroes of the victory.

Embsay extended their lead at the top of the third division to nine points after a four-wicket win over Pendle Forest.

Bradley raced to 226-9 against Thornton with Mick Hall (63) leading the way. He followed up with five wickets as the Booth Bridge side collapsed to 87 all out.

John Tetley was match winner for Long Lee at Barrowford. He scored 42 with the bat and took 6-16 as his side won by 59 runs.

Matthew Wilson carried his bat with 71 not out as Skipton CI made 164-4 against Oakworth. Jason Stuttard and S Davidson took five wickets each as Oakworth were dismissed for 116.

Glusburn had an emphatic 10-wicket win over local rivals Sutton who were restricted to 132. Veteran Phil Taylor (79no) teamed up with youngster Chris Baxter (40no) to see the home side to the points.

Chatburn secured a narrow two-wicket win at Haworth despite 71 from Derek Bright.

Pendle Forest III are two points clear at the top of the fourth division after beating bottom club Keighley Tech. Rotund veteran David Hall celebrated his 64th birthday with 58 not out to lead Forest to a seven-wicket win.

Denholme drop a place to second because they didn't have a game at the weekend. Cowling are third after beating next to bottom Ingrow St John's with another veteran, Vern Rooke, taking 5-38 to set up the four-wicket win.

Haworth West End are fourth after Steve Royston (5-23) and Dennis Palmer (4-40) had Foulridge back in the pavilion for 79. John Robertshaw (42) saw the Bronte side to an easy eight-wicket win.

Gargrave had no answer to Steve Wilson at Cononley. He took 6-8 in only six overs to shoot out the visitors for 85 as Cononley cruised to a six-wicket win. Carleton lost by 54 runs at Airedale.

League Positions

Division One: Thornton 22, Embsay 21, Oakworth 20, Long Lee 19, Pendle Forest 19, Bradley 14, Carleton 14, Haworth 14, Skipton CI 12, Sutton 12, Barrowford 11, Cowling 2.

Division Two: Ingrow St John's 24, Denholme 23, Haworth WE 23, Foulridge 17, Glusburn 17, Chatburn 15, Barnoldswick III 14, Gargrave 14, Airedale 12, Cononley 12, Keighley Tech 6, J Nelson's 6.

Division Three: Embsay 29, Thornton 20, Bradley 18, Long Lee 18, Barrowford 17, Glusburn 17, Pendle Forest 17, Oakworth 11, Sutton 11, Haworth 9, Skipton CI 9, Chatburn 8.

Division Four: Pendle Forest 23, Denholme 21, Cowling 18, Haworth WE 17, Airedale 15, Carleton 15, Foulridge 14, Cononley 11, Gargrave 7, Ingrow St John's 5, Keighley Tech 4.