Drier pitches on Saturday meant more matches were played and the remaining Craven Football League title battles are reaching their climax.

In the Skipton Building Society Premier Division both the leading teams, Skipton Bulldogs and Embsay, won.

Bulldogs defeated long-time leaders Oxenhope 3-1 although a more emphatic win would have been expected against a weak Oxenhope side.

Embsay defeated Cowling 6-0 to stay in contention, but as the cricket season starts this Saturday Embsay are going to be struggling to field a full strength side on a Saturday, giving advantage to Bulldogs.

One often wonders why players with dual sports interests do not see one sport completed before starting on the next, especially when they have been fighting for a title all season.

Cowling's defeat means they still need a point to escape relegation although Skipton Town would have to win their remaining three matches by large scores if they are to top Cowling on goal difference.

Skipton LMS lost at home to Addingham 3-1 and are now relegated to Division One.

Silsden and Rimington are now level on points in Division One. Silsden had a 4-0 midweek victory over Carleton and followed this up witha 6-1 victory at Grindleton on Saturday showing their scoring touch has returned.

Rimington's match with Gargrave was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, leaving Rimington with five fixtures to complete in the league, a cup final and a cup semi-final which could take its toll on the players.

The dogfight to avoid relegation continues at the foot of the division.

Grassington lost at home 5-2 to St Pauls and must now take maximum points from their last two matches to have any chance of staying up.

Carleton drew 1-1 with Rolls-Royce to take a valuable point and with three matches left need four points to avoid the drop.

They meet Gargrave this Saturday in what will be a four pointer as Gargrave themselves are not 100 per cent safe yet.

Hellifield and Haworth are neck and neck in Division Two. Hellifield defeated Embsay 3-2 midweek and had an 8-0 victory on Easter Monday over Wharfedale Gate to be level on points with Haworth with a match in hand.

And with two matches left two more points will ensure them promotion and three will see the title in their grasp.

West Bradford came back from 3-1 down against Eastburn Rangers to win 6-4.

But they now need Haworth and Hellifield to slip up if they are to get promotion, although regretfully if they cannot get someone to run the team next season they are likely to fold at the end of this.

With the Divisions Three and Four titles already resolved this only left St Pauls to clinch the runners-up spot in Division Four with a 5-2 defeat of Bradley and it is a fine achievement in their first season.

The Addingham versus Cowling Division Three League Cup Semi-Final was postponed to this Saturday.

Next Wednesday the Division One League Cup Final takes place between Rimington and Intake at Rolls-Royce, ko 6.30pm, and it promises to be a good match worth supporting to help the league raise money for trophies as many requests for sponsorship have fallen on deaf ears.

In the Division Four League Cup Final between Grassington and Sutton at Skipton Town on Wednesday Sutton won 5-0. There will be a full report and pictures next week.

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