WHAT a difference 12 months can make. Cowling, who would have been relegated if the first division had not been extended to 14 teams, now sit proudly at the top of the table after another day when the bowlers reasserted their influence on proceedings in most games.

Cowling were at home to Sutton and batting first made 166-4, with skipper Steve Mitchell making 49no and Martyn Dalby 37no. The visitors were dismissed for 108, with Paul Hardaker scoring 35 as Ian Watson claimed 5-17.

Oakworth are in second place, two points adrift, after knocking over joint leaders Foulridge by eight wickets. The Cure Hill side won the toss and restricted the Noyna side to 128-8 in their overs.

Mohammed Nawaz top scored with 27 as Michael Scarborough took 7-61 from 23 overs. In reply, Robert Hopkinson carried on his good form from last week by scoring 64 which, along with Steve Hartley's 39, took the points.

Joining Foulridge on 11 points are Embsay, who entertained Skipton CI. The Shires Lane side batted first and struggled to 135 in their overs, Duncan Bullough anchoring the innings with 46. The total was greatly helped by 3l extras. John Drake took 4-29 and Nick Williamson and Zuffar Iqbal claimed three each.

The Sandylands side were under the cosh from the start, crashing 28-6 which included five ducks. In fact no player reached double figures as they were bowled out for just 41, Steve Speak taking 5-15 and Nasir Hussain 3-13.

Carleton had the misfortune to lose the toss and had to suffer as Pendle Forest smashed 269-5. Peter Atkinson led the way with 78, aided by Nick Swinbank with 67. The pair putt on 137 for the first wicket in 24-overs. The Ramper Park side could only muster 91 in reply, with Neville Allan making 49no as Paul Hakin took 3-8 in 7.4 overs.

Barrowford's John Hargreaves took 5-25 as visitors Long Lee were dismissed for 81. The Bull Holme side lost five wickets reaching their target.

The Bronte derby went the way of home side Haworth. They batted first and made 154, with Jamie Rowell scoring 54 and Adam Bailey claiming 4-60. West End replied with 91, as Rowell took 6-16.

Things are tight at the top of the Division Two. League newcomers Cullingworth have just edged infront follow their demolition of Gargrave. Only one player reached double figures as Gargrave were knocked over for 40 and the visitors romped to a nine-wicket triumph.

Airedale, Chatburn and Ingrow St Johns are all level in second place, three points behind the leaders.

Airedale polished off visitors Keighley Tech in quick time shooting them out for a paltry 22. Giles Wilmore did the damage with 8-8. Ten wickets was the winning margin.

Chatburn received three points when Barnoldswick couldn't raise a team, while Ingrow St John's entertained Denholme and were restricted to 115 in their innings, with Wilkinson taking 5-27. In reply the visitors crumbled to 74 all out as Anthony Haigh took 5-36.

Glusburn enjoyed a narrow 12-run victory over visitors Ingrow. The home side made 164, with Michael Baxter top scoring with 37 as David Hoyle claimed 5-22. Veteran Brian Hollis then took the bowling honours with 5-51 off 19-overs as the Keighley side made 152, Hoyle rounding off a good day with 31.

James Nelson's also received three points when Cononley conceded the game.

Oakworth's winning ways at the top of the Third Division continued when they comfortably beat visitors Glusburn by seven wickets. The South Craven side were restricted to 123-7 in their innings, Alan Thornley scoring 54no and Jason Lockley 5-38. In the Cure Hill's reply, Wayne Fradley scored a fine 64.

Thornton encountered few problems at home to Chatburn. Tim Gates 78 and Michael Hird 76 laying the foundation for 242-8 by putting on 147 for the third wicket. Seasoned campaigners Jeff Tipler 3-17 and Malcolm Holt 3-20 helping the Ribblesdale side back to the hut for l21.

Nick Staveley 71 and Mark Batty 55 helped Cowling to 189--5 down at Sutton. The home side managed 71 in reply.

On a difficult wicket, Embsay were restricted to 89-6 in their 45 overs at Skipton CI, Mark Tucker scoring 31 as youngster Mark Carr took 4-26 in nine overs. In the homesters' reply they were undermined by Ian Robson, who took 7-12 in 10 overs to set up a 35-run victory.

Long Lee's John Tetley 5-21 and Paul Swindlehurst 4-23 shot visitors Barrowford out for a modest 65. In reply, Richard Ayrton made 45no as the Keighley side cruised home by 8 wickets.

Evergreen Mick Gowling scored 49 as Pendle Forest made 152-8 in their overs, with Gemma Rishworth knocking over another four "fellas" for 23. Opponents Haworth fel1 19 short of their target.

Bradley were without a game following the withdrawal from the league of Haworth West End second team.

There were only three games in the Fourth Division. Foulridge beat Cullingworth by 23 runs, with Ogden 5-23 being the best performance for the winners. Denholme were too strong for visitors Gargrave, winning by eight wickets.

In the derby between Ingrow St John's and Ingrow, the Saints were victorious by 48 runs. David Boddy 51 and Iqbal 4-48 being the heroes for the winners. In the other scheduled match, Keighley Tech couldn't raise a team and conceded to Pendle Forest.