AS the half way point in the season nears, the cream is rising to the top of the first division of the Craven League.

Leaders Embsay entertained Haworth and stuttered for a while when they batted first. They lost their skipper with the total on four. Then the other opener, youngster Simon Bailey had to retire after being hit on the head.

Four more wickets then fell to leave the champions on 62-5. Bailey rejoined the fray with James Tiffany and the pair put on 133 before the former was out for a splendid 102. The latter made 51 as the score reached 236, another youngster, Gary Binns, taking 6-76 off 16 overs.

The Bronte side were never in the hunt in their reply and were dismissed for 104, Stephen Speak 5-48 and Richard Phillipson 4-24 doing the damage.

Second-placed Oakworth were also in fine form at home to Long Lee. They batted first and skipper John Crossley and Adam Fradley put on 151 for the opening wicket.

Crossley, who had been missed five times, was finally caught out on 99, his innings containing 15 fours and a six.

The Cure Hill side relentlessly plundered the runs, aided by some very ragged fielding. Fradley made 64 before being needlessly run out and Michael Scarborough hit 73 in the last nine overs, scoring six sixes and six fours.

The visitors were soon under the cosh and after 3.1 overs found themselves 5-3. Matt Taylor and Andy Parsons set about retrieving the situation and patiently built a stand, which came to an end on 81.

Aussie Mick Isles joined Parsons and were hanging on when there was a 20-minute interruption for rain. Then Parsons holed out for 40, Isles was bowled for 34 and the end soon followed with the deficit being 129 runs. Scarborough finished with 4-19.

Thornton move above Long Lee into third spot, after a good win at Cowling in a high-scoring game. They batted first and made a massive 273-4, with Aussie Adam Zampatti scoring a fine 137no and Kev Pollard 81. The homesters made a positive reply, which closed on 232-6 with Mike Dudley scoring 78.

Barrowford are fourth after adding to Skipton CI's woes at Bull Holme. The Sandylanders made a creditable 170-6, with the Williamson brothers scoring the bulk of the runs, Nick making 60 and Shaun 49. Sadly the bowling let them down as the home side plundered 174-3, with Ajmal Choudry leading the way with 64no.

Cullingworth's season is a topsy-turvy affair at the present time. Last week they had a fine win over at Barrowford. This week they tumbled to a 13-run defeat at Haworth WE. The Bronte side scored a modest 106 in their innings, with Chris Welch taking 5-40. Then Jason Bilbrough 4-37, Damian Bailey 4-46 and Andy Benfield 2-4 sent the visitors crashing to defeat.

It was derby day at Sutton, where neighbours Glusburn were in the village, and the leaders of the Second Division were in good form. They restricted the second-placed visitors to 150-9 in their overs, Alan Thornley making 46 and Justin Holdsworth claiming 5-47.

The home side romped to a crushing nine-wicket win with Paul Williams scoring 66no and Paul Hardaker 47no.