EMBSAY, defending champions in the J P Mewies Craven & District Cricket League and current leaders of Division One, face another important test tomorrow as they bid to sew up another title in record time.

The Shires Lane men, unbeaten so far in 13 starts and having already accounted for closest rivals Oakworth on home territory, entertain third-placed Barrowford, who are currently nine points adrift of the leaders and badly need a win to keep their championship hopes alive.

When the teams met earlier in the season at Bull Holme, Barrowford could muster only a meagre 86 runs when they batted first, a challenge which never really extended their visitors, winners by eight wickets. A much better show with the bat will be needed tomorrow to disturb Embsay's title gallop.

Two Craven sides with morale boosting wins to their credit last weekend will meet in the Jennings Ribblesdale League tomorrow when Barnoldswick take on Settle. Last weekend both Michael Scothern and Paul Ridgway turned in match-winning, seven-wicket hauls for the two side and it will be interesting to see whether either set of batsmen can make an impression tomorrow.

Earby visit Clitheroe simply hoping that they can do a better job with the ball this weekend.

In the Airedale & Wharfedale League, Skipton have a chance to strengthen their promotion challenge when they visit Bolton Villas, who are currently fourth in the table.

With Tasmanian Robert Dilger in such good form at the moment with bat and ball and Steve Carling and Kevin Owens also in a rich seam with the bat, Skipton will travel with plenty of confidence. They will also be keeping an eye on developments elsewhere, with neighbours Addingham in a position to do them a good turn when they visit third-placed Colton.

Tomorrow's programme includes:

J

Jennings Ribblesdale League

Senior Division - Barnoldswick v Settle, Clitheroe v Earby.

Airedale & Wharfedale League

Division A - Otley v Steeton. Division B - Kirkstall Ed v Silsden. Division C - Colton v Addingham, Upper Wharfedale v Alwoodley, Bolton Villas v Skipton.

J P Mewies Craven & District League

Division One - Long Lee v Bradley, Thornton v Haworth WE, Cowling v Cullingworth, Embsay v Barrowford, Haworth v Skipton CI, Oakworth v Denholme.

Division Two - Foulridge v Airedale, Jimmy Nelson's v Pendle Forest, Ingrow v Cononley, Sutton v Chatburn, Glusburn v Carleton, Gargrave v Ingrow St John's.

Division Three - Pendle Forest II v Thornton II, Airedale II v Long Lee 11, Ingrow St John's II v Oakworth II, Skipton CI II v Haworth II, Barrowford II v Embsay 11, Cullingworth II v Cowling II.

Division Four - Keighley Tech v Pendle Forest III, Bradley II v Foulridge II, Denholme II v Gargrave II, Long Le 11 v Glusburn II, Chatburn II v Sutton II, Cononley II v Ingrow II.