THE weather again took a hand as the persistent rain of the last week or so caused the cancellation of both Northern Plant Hire Trophy semi-finals between Skipton Bulldogs and Embsay and Oxenhope and Silsden.

Whether or not the competition will be completed this season depends upon a meeting of the management committee.

SKIPTON Bulldogs are quietly working their way through a massive backlog of fixtures and look set to clinch the Craven Premier Football League title.

They defeated Grassington 3-1 with goals from Jonathan Beck (2) and Ian Bernard, Grassington replying through Sebastian Richardson, and followed this up with a second meeting with Embsay.

It was not quite the epic of the first meeting and Embsay were struggling badly with injuries, starting the match with only nine men. They made Bulldogs fight all the way however for their 3-0 win.

Ian Bernard scored twice and Chris Simpson scored once.

A third match in this hectic period saw Embsay travel to their closest rivals for the title, Oxenhope.

On the infamous Oxenhope slope the Skipton side made a perfect start as Bernard was again on target after just three minutes. With the slope Oxenhope pulled level with a penalty kick and then took the lead but this seemed to inspire the Bulldogs.

Chris Simpson equalised from Iain Tyrer's cross and then, just before halftime Bernard lobbed the keeper to restore the Bulldogs' lead.

A halftime downpour did not help matters and the second half was goalless. It was end to end stuff as Oxenhope pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Bulldogs sought to make the game safe.

A great team performance ensured that Bulldogs held on for the win and, with two games this week, the title could be secured.

Other results from midweek included Keighley complete their programme with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Skipton LMS. The backlog caught up with a jaded Keighley side as Darren Phillip and Richard Cartman scored the all-important goals to sink them.

A relegation struggle between Gargrave and Cononley Sports ended at 1-1, leaving both sides with a lot to do if they are to avoid the drop. Grassington are also in trouble.

The first honours of the season went to Bronte Wanderers, who clinched the Division Two title with an 8-0 win over Cowling Reserves, their 21st win of the season with only one defeat.

Barnoldswick United, who beat Gargrave Reserves 3-1 on Saturday look set for second place but Embsay Reserves have matches in hand and can catch them. Embsay beat Silsden 2-1 in midweek but a waterlogged pitch called off their weekend fixture.

At the other end of this table, Gargrave Res are relegated and Horton or Cowling Res will be joining them. Horton went down 3-1 to Skipton LMS Res and need to win their final match, at Silsden, to be sure of staying up.

Division One awaits the meetings of Clitheroe United and Skipton Town and Addingham and St Pauls to decide the title. Clitheroe lead Addingham by one point going into the last match of the season. If both sides lose, then Grindleton, with two games to play, have a chance of pipping them.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.