EMBSAY flunked their big chance to put one hand on the First Division title when they were comprehensively beaten by their great rivals Barrowford at Shires Lane.

The result puts the visitors back on top of the league and takes the title out of Embsay's hands.

Elsewhere two promotion issues were settled on Saturday, Glusburn II are promoted to the Third Division and Cononley II go up to the Fourth Division, as things hot up with just three more weeks of the season left.

Visitors Barrowford were in fine fettle as they crashed 221-6 in their overs despite a slow start.

The thorn in Embsay's side was Ajmal Choudrhy yet again. He followed his 94 in the Wynn Cup, with 95 this time as he and Ronnie Misra, 51, put on 120 for the second wicket, which built the platform for the impressive total.

Embsay were never in the hunt and succumbed for a miserable 94 in reply with skipper Duncan Ward top scoring with 39 as Misra claimed 6-47 off 18.4 overs.

Cullingworth close up to Embsay after beating Cowling at Roydwood Terrace. The visitors were put into bat and made a positive 192 with Steve Richardson scoring 74 and Keith Woodhead 30 as Steve Welch took 3-2 in four balls, which included the hat trick. The other successful bowlers were Dave Robinson 3-22 and Matt Pearson 3-40.

The homesters' reply was successful by five wickets with Welch making 57 and Gareth Marshall a whirlwind 63 off only 27 balls.

The battle of the basement at Foulridge ending with them winning by 9 wickets at the expense of Haworth WE. Tom Stephenson was in great form with the ball, taking 7-30 as the Bronte side were knocked over for 74. Chris Brooker-Carey with 34no steered the side to three welcome points.

That puts the pressure on third bottom Bradley, who slumped to a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Wynn Cup finalists Glusburn.

Bradley's skipper Neil Robinson made 93 as his side posted 170-8. Steve Filkin finished with 4-51. In reply Mark Price with 40 led Glusburn to the spoils which keeps them in the heady position of fourth.

Oakworth are a point behind Glusburn after getting the better of visitors Thornton. The West Craveners got off to a poor start by losing Kevin Pollard, run out, early on. They struggled to 74-8 but G Farrar and Stott put on 40 for the ninth wicket which helped them to 120 all out.

Joel Gallagher stroked the ball to all parts in his 57no, which set up a nine wicket triumph for the Cure Hill side.

Bingley Congs had few problems seeing off a much weakened Haworth side by nine wickets.

The Second Division title race is bubbling nicely with eight clubs still in with a mathematical chance of going up. Haworth Road are the new leaders after they overcame nine man Cononley and Ingrow lost to third placed Sandy Lane who now go second on run rate.

P Rodwell, 80no, and Charlie Hainsworth were the backbone of the Baildon Bottom sides impressive 275-5. Homesters Cononley then replied with a creditable 151-8. A Starkey top scoring with 25 as Chris Griggs took 3-38.

Just four points behind the leaders are Airedale who encountered few problems beating bottom side Chatburn by 77 runs.

Crossflatts redeemed them-selves after the ignominy of being shot out for 22 last week by winning at Sutton by three wickets with just three balls of the game to go. Chris Capstick with 47 helped the Sutton to 158-7. Then R Brooksbank made 48 as 'Flatts reached their target.

Pendle Forest have made strides up the table recently and this week they beat Skipton CI by seven wickets at Fence.

IN Division Three, Embsay II's Nas Hussain claimed 8-35 as Barrowford II crumpled to 47 all out. Embsay lost three wickets claiming the victory and their lead at the top of the table is extended to four points following second placed Oakworth II's defeat at Thornton II.

Johnny Cowgill 63 and David Harrison 37 were the main contributors to the home side's 149. The Cure Hill side got off to a solid start but the other batsmen failed to capitalise. Veteran Brian Laycock took 4-55 in 19.5 overs.

Gargrave had an off day at home to Pendle Forest, going down by 105 runs.

Glusburn II make a speedy return to the Third Division after their victory over Bradley II at Park in Division Four guaranteed them promotion. One more point and they will go up as champions.

Phil Shackleton 78no and David Barton 61 put on 121 for the fourth wicket as the homeside rattled up 222-5. Matt Buckmaster top scored with 30 as the visitors replied with 148. Brian Hollis finished with 4-43 off 15 overs.

Carleton are also hoping to make a quick return to the higher division. They have fought their way into second spot on the back of some high scoring and this week they rattled up 227-8 thanks to Martyn Windle who made 100. Phil Binner then claimed 5-27 as visitors Long Lee II struggled to 83 in reply.

Keighley Tech look to be the main danger to Carleton. They travelled to Skipton CI II and made 160, John Stuttard claiming 5-57 and Mal Seward 3-54. The home side managed 115 in reply, which was creditable considering they were 24-6 at one time. Dave Suter snr top scoring with 34no.

Cononley II continued their march to the Fifth Division title by beating Pendle Forest III by 7 wickets at Barrowford. Matthew Beer 6-24 and Tim Holloway 4-36 being the destroyers in chief for the winners, who secured promotion by virtue of the victory.

Sutton II need one more point to join Cononley. They encountered few problems at Riddlesden knocking them over for just 34 with Graham Hardaker claiming 6-16.