A rapid improvement in ground conditions meant that only three matches were postponed last weekend in the Craven & District League, leaving officials hopeful that the next few weeks are water free.

Results brought no significant changes in League positions at the top, although valuable points were dropped by Skipton Town and Cross Hills in relegation battles, Town losing to Keighley Lifts and Cross Hills to Embsay.

Colne Shepherds' promotion chances look to be slipping after they dropped a home point to Bradley, Intake were one of the cancelled matches, while Lothersdale, still trailing the leaders, banged in nine against bottom of the table Gargrave.

The clash between leaders Bronte Wanderers Reserves and Barnoldswick United failed to get off the ground because of the water, but Hellifield grabbed three good points in a home match against Cononley.

One of only two matches in Division Two saw Horton keep up their promotion challenge with a 5-1 victory over Sutton.

Division Three saw a win for leaders McBrides over Hellifield and in a high-scoring match, Earby gained revenge over Carleton Reserves by defeating them 6-5. Second-placed Cowling lost ground when they were defeated at home by Pendle Athletic.

Semi-finals in the Northern Plant Hire Challenge Trophy are almost resolved. Skipton Bulldogs defeated Grindleton and now have a home tie against Cross Hills, while Carleton defeated Waddington and now meet Embsay for a semi-final place. Their opponents will be either Skipton LMS or Cowling. The outstanding quarter-finals in the Devonshire Carpets Division Two League Cup saw victory go to both the home teams, Oxenhope Rec Reserves accounting for Ingleton 10-3 and Barrowford earning a semi-final trip to Oxenhope with a 6-0 win over Grindleton.

This weekend's programme includes:

Northern Plant Hire Challenge Trophy: Skipton LMS v Cowling.

Silentnight Premier Division: Bronte Wanderers v Grindleton, Carleton v Keighley Lifts, Cross Hills v Oxenhope Rec, Skipton Bulldogs v Embsay, Skipton Town v Grassington Un.

Division One: Bradley v Colne Shepherds, Cononley Sp v Intake, Embsay Res v Barnoldswick Un, Hellifield Sp v Gargrave.

Division Two: Grindleton Res v Barrowford Un, Horton v Ingleton, Oxenhope Rec Res v Sutton, Silsden Ath v Skipton LMS Res, Waddington v Bradley Res.

Division Three: Grassington Un Res v Skipton Town Res, McBrides v Carleton Res, Pendle Ath v Cononley Sp Res, Earby v Intake Res.