The top of the table clash between Embsay and Oakworth at Shires Lane was a close tussle which finally went the way of the home side.

On a low slow wicket the Keighley side were reduced to 54-6 before Graham Rankin who finished with 45no and Tim Walsh (20) staged a recovery. The innings closed on 126-8.

Duncan Bullough with 56 was the linchpin of the reply which opened up a three point gap at the top.

Third placed Haworth travelled to Cowling and went down by 31 runs which sees them drop seven points behind Oakworth. Cowling made 189-6, Mark Richardson scoring 57 and Simon Spencer 55 as Duncan Marsden claimed 4-52. In the Bronte side's reply David Sutton took 6-63 to restrict them to 158 all out.

Carleton failed to take advantage of Haworth's slip up by losing at home to bottom side Gargrave. The homesters were dismissed for 115 after Martin Windle 24 and Steve Carling 32 had given them a start of 45. Ray Jones took 5-54 in 22.5 overs. The visitors were rocking at 54-4 but Andrew Facey 39no and M Clayton 24no put together a match winning partnership.

Cononley remain firmly anchored in next to last place after a disappointing performance at home to U Wharfedale. They were dismissed for 100 with Mark Iveson top scoring on 34 as James Yeadon took 6-42. Alex Haworth 50no and Kevin Holme 34 saw the Dalesmen to a nine wicket win.

There was a terrific performance from Sutton at Foulridge. They had to watch in admiration as Amail Choudry stroked a chanceless 124no in the Noyna side's 191-7. Not to be outdone Sutton fought back brilliantly led by skipper Paul Hardaker who cracked 109no. He was ably assisted by Craig Thornton, 36, and Paul Williams, 30 and the points were taken by eight wickets.

A weakened Bradley paid the price at home to Pendle Forest. They were indebted to Neil Andrews with 82 for their total of 144, Tim Stanley spinning his way to 5-34. The red rose side cantered home by seven wickets.

Thornton's canter to the Second Division title is still on course after they smashed an incredible 302-6 at home to Keighley Tech.

Paul Tilbury made a belligerent 103, Kevin Pollard 69 and David Holt 66. In the reply only J McPherson with 57 stood firm as Pollard's gentle offspin claimed 5-32.

Barrowford are second, seven points adrift. They entertained Skipton CI and won by 54 runs. Chris Hartley scored 96no for the winners.

Chatburn moved up to third spot after winning at Long Lee. The Ribblesdale side made 138-7, but the Keighley team fell 22 runs short.

Haworth WE moved up a place into fourth spot after seeing off J Nelson's. Adam Benfield 4-54 and Duncan Tetley 3-7 had the visitors back in the hut for 90. Adam Bailey 41 and Lee Bilbrough 28 getting the Bronte side home by eight wickets.

Airedale are fifth following their 24 run win over Ingrow St John's. Airedale plundered 201-5 with Trevor Cox scoring 48no, Phil Loftus 36 and Paul Feather 38. The Saints replied with 177-7, David Greenwood scoring 47, R Sollitt 34no as Ian Singleton took 3-25.

There was no play in the game between Barnoldswick III and Glusburn.

The top two in the Third Division, Oakworth and Embsay battled it out at Cure Hill. Embsay posted 151, skipper Alan Robinson made 38 as Jason Lockley took 5-54. The home side crashed to 38-6 and were dismissed for a disappointing 72. Simon Holt spinning his way to 5-9 off 10 overs and Nasir Hussain taking 3-25.

Oakworth, whilst only three points ahead, are still favourites to take the title, looking at their run in over the last five games.

Ten points behind Oakworth come Haworth who entertained Long Lee. The Bronte side made 173-9 with Damian Rowell dropped three times before making 85. D Brown and G Wood took three wickets each. Long Lee were hustled out for 50 with Derek Bright taking 4-30.

Upper Wharfedale came unstuck at home to Haworth WE. The Bronte side made 139 with Joe Robinson scoring 39, Mark Elders 35 and Richard Summerfield 38 as David Daggett took 4-30.

Thornton have gone off the boil recently and they crashed to another defeat at Sutton. They were dismissed for 129 as Chris Airey took 4-66. R Kidd with 29 was the main contributor to the South Craveners four wicket win.

Skipton CI had Barrowford back in the hut for 107 at Sandylands. 'Stute were dismissed for a disappointing 88.

Nine man Bradley were no match for Pendle Forest. They only managed 83-8 as Brian Snowden took 4-42, N Jones 38no and Mick Cowling 31no getting the Fence side home by eight wickets.

The top of the Fourth Division is still a cauldron of activity with the top five being covered by just six points. The leaders are Glusburn who encountered few problems at home to Pendle Forest III. The Fence side were dismissed for 86 with Rummy Smith taking 6-48. Alan Thornley with 50no ensured the points.

Chatburn are second, three points behind. They entertained Cowling and gained a narrow 10 run win. The homesters made 119 with Gary Clarkson scoring 33 as Ray Tunnacliffe took 5-27. Dave Watson made 45no in the reply as Clarkson took 4-29 and S Almond and D Glover three wickets each.

Carleton triumphed by 11 runs against a very youthful 10 man Gargrave side. They reached 111 as fifteen-year-old off spinner David Robertshaw took 5-24. The game almost turned the home side's way as Martyn Cox made 73 out of 100-9.

Keighley Tech gained a 20 run win over Foulridge at Rose Cottage, amid some controversy when a Noyna batsman was allegedly given out handled ball when picking it up to pass back to the bowler.

Finally Airedale had slumped to 40-6 in pursuit of Ingrow St John's modest 87. However they pulled themselves together and reached their target.

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