Top three clubs in the First Division were all in sparkling form as the title race reaches fever pitch.

Bradley made a modest 134, Eddie Drake scoring 41 as Scott Robinson claimed 6-51 for leaders Embsay. The Shires Lane side stormed to a 10-wicket win thanks to David Robinson 67no and Chris Davies 57no.

There was a similar winning margin at Cure Hill, where Pendle Forest were dismissed for 102. Ian Excell top scored with 29no as Michael Scarborough 5-33 and Graham Rankin 3-49 did the damage. The stunning reply featured John Crossley 52no and Steve Lilley 50no.

Third placed Haworth entertained Upper Wharfe-dale and whipped the 10-man visitors out for a paltry 28. Jamie Rowell took 6-9 and Damian Rowell 2-2. The Bronte side knocked off the runs.

Wynn Cup winners Carleton got back to winning ways in the League despite being five players short from their cup final side. They rattled up 203-6, Martyn Windle in the runs again with 78 and Bob Walker 66. M Nawaz took 4-48 for Foulridge. A Coudry scored 58 and Tony Cocker 47 as Iain Bell claimed 6-36, the Noyna side being 111-1 at one time.

The battle to avoid relegation is hotting up, although one issue was virtually decided. Gargrave are 99 per cent sure of going down. They could finish level with Cowling, but their run rate is far inferior.

Gargrave entertained Sutton and watched them post a modest 142-8. Gary Williams scored 35 and Paul Hardaker 33 as Chris Flood took 4-38. The reply was never quite on course although Richard Drake 30 and Duncan Humphries 27 gave some hope. Sadly both perished to rash shots and it was then a mad scramble to try and snatch the points. Flood, trying desperately to stave off defeat, was 19no as the last wicket fell three short of the target.

Cowling did themselves a power of good when they travelled to Cononley and won by 54 runs. The visitors made 166-7 with Keith Woodhead 58 and Colin Stead taking 5-55. John Naylor with 39 was the backbone of the homeside's reply of 112, Martin Rishton taking 5-58 and Neil Hargreaves 4-11. This leaves Cononley next to bottom with Cowling six points above them.

The battle of the top two in the Second Division went the way of the home side in a nervy game at the Bull Holme. Leaders Thornton made a modest 84. Justin McQueston bowled well to finish with 7-45. Barrowford were rocking at 20-4 before securing a three wicket win.

Third placed Chatburn hadJ Nelson's in all sorts of trouble at 2-6. P Suntor with 25 led a small rally and they closed on 63 all out, John Lockley taking 5-18 and Rod Booth 4-13. Steve Proctor 31 and Stuart Draycott 22no took the Ribblesdale side to the points.

Long Lee are fourth, four points behind Barrowford. They travelled to Haworth West End and plundered 192-6, Jan Haider making a fine 76no. The Bronte side's reply fell 27 short, John Robinson scoring 42 and Lee Bilbrough 36, as Jamie Robinson took 4-47 and Alan Coney 5-107.

Airedale enjoyed a run feast at home to Barnoldswick III. They plundered 246-4 , Mark Homes scoring 80, Mark Allcock 53no and Trevor Cox 39. Barnoldswick managed 138 in reply, Colin Maud making 31 as Allcock took 4-13 and Malcolm Quinlan 3-26.

Keighley Tech were shot out for a miserable 36 by Skipton CI, S Taylor with 12 being the only player to reach double figures. Nick Williamson took 5-17 and John Drake 4-12. Skipton won by nine wickets in 9.4 overs.

Glusburn batted first at home to Ingrow St John's and made 139. Darren Ideson scored 46 as D Clough took 6-31. The Saints reached their target for the loss of four wickets with K Lawler making 47no.

Oakworth are leaders of the Third Division following their win at Pendle Forest and Embsay's defeat by Bradley.

The Cure Hill side dismissed their opponents for 102. Veteran Mick Gowling scored 43 as Brian Pennington took 3-25 and Gary Searby 3-20. The Fence side were going along quite well, having captured six wickets as the score progressed to 56, enter Jason Lockley who made a belligerent 36no to take the points. David Brunskill chipped in with 30.

The vast experience of John Humphreys helped Bradley to a moderate 127 at Shires Lane. He was ninth out with 59 as Paul Barwick took 6-47 and Ian Robson 3-44. The reply never really got into gear and the homesters were dismissed for 78, Pete Stones taking 4-18 and wily veteran William Mitchell 4-22 as skipper Alan Robinson made 25.

Haworth West End are third, now only six points adrift. They blasted 244-8 at Long Lee. Joe Nash scored 71 and Mark Elders 68 as Dave Brown and Martin Stables took three wickets each. The home side were shot out for 70 with Richard Summerfield taking 5-26 and Damian Bailey 4-30.

Haworth and U Wharfedale swap places following the former's comprehensive win by six wickets at Wood Lane. The Dalesmen faired a little better than in the recent Cowling Cup final between the two. This time the eight man side made 87-7 with David Crabtree scoring 24 as Dave Walsh took 4-43 and Derek Bright 3-39. Anthony Godden 26no and T Wallhead 23no secured the points for the Bronte side. Jason Waddington took 3-21 for the losers.

Visitors Barrowford just got the better of Thornton. They batted first and made 194-9 with Neil Earnshaw making 71 as Stephen Laycock took 3-20 and Jeff Tipler 3-37. The homesides reply closed on 179-9 of which Richard Thompson made 61 as Martin Caygill took 6-83.

Glusburn continue their progress towards promotion. This week they travelled to Morton and had the Saints back in the hut for 133. John Jickells having scored 42 as Colin Ridehalgh took 4-44. Alan Thornley made 38 as victory was achieved by three wickets.

Second placed Chatburn only got one point when their game at J Nelson's was called off in controversial fashion.

This allows Cononley to move to within one point of Chatburn. They enjoyed a narrow seven run victory over Cowling.

Carleton are a further point behind after going down by 17 runs over at Foulridge. The Noyna sides opener Mick Gildea carried his bat with 81no and Phil Swarbrick made 46 as the total reached 183-3. C Metcalfe 45no and Dave Humphries 41 kept the villagers in the hunt for quite awhile but they closed on 166-9.

Pendle Forest III rattled up 176-7 , with M Vickerman scoring 50 and K Javeed 44. Visitors Airedale were then dismissed for 133. T Crossley and M Watkins both scored 23 as Javeed took 4-39.

Finally Keighley TC were too strong for Gargrave down at Rose Cottage. The visitors were dismissed for 58 with Daniel Moorhouse taking 7-27 and Richard Hoyle 3-27, Les Horner 26no and Stan Adams 23no seeing the homeside to the points by eight wickets.

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