Oxenhope set the scene for the rest of the league as they powered into the attack against Skipton Bulldogs.

Steve Buckley gave them the lead after a number of easy chances had been missed. They were totally in command and added two more goals through Patrick Higgins and James Bailey, but Dogs pulled on back in a rare attack before half time.

Spurred on by their goal Bulldogs came more into the game and secured a second after applying heavy pressure to the Oxenhope defence. The Worth Valley side had a man sent off but managed to hang on until the final minute when a very harsh penalty gave Bulldogs a point they did not really deserve.

Keighley Lifts entertained Colne CC and threw a high scoring match away because of lack of effort. There was end to end football from both sides with Steve Duff putting Lifts ahead early in the game only to see the cricketers reply with two quick goals.

Keith Spence levelled the scores just before half time but Colne came out sharper after the break and soon added two more goals. Spence reduced the arrears and Lifts were looking for an equaliser when they conceded a fifth which put the game out of reach. Stephen Hall scored from the spot late in the game, but it was too little, too late for Lifts.

In Division One Keighley Lifts reserves secured a 5-0 victory, but it was not until the second half that their superiority told against a nine-man Sutton side which ran out of steam.

The opening period was quit even with Sutton defending well and Lifts were unable to break them down until Chris Morris opened the scoring. Sutton had chances of their own but were unable to take advantage. In the second half Lifts started to take advantage of their extra men with a hat-trick from Morris and further goals from Peter Bousfield and Andrew Scotland.

Cowling faced a severely weakened home side at Hellifield. The South Craven outfit defended well and mounted their attacks from defence with John Matthews slotting the opener from an acute angle. Mark Ferguson put the finishing touches to a length of the field move for the second.

In the second half Dave Sutton saved a penalty as Hellifield came more into the came, but Matthews wrapped things up with Cowling's third goal.

Bronte Wanderers lost at home 3-1 to Intake with the Keighley side failing to get into their stride. Intake were determined to secure their first win of the season, but it may have been the fact that Bronte were locked out of their dressing room at the start of the match which upset them.

Oxenhope Recreation Reserves fielded a very young side in their Division Two match against Bulldogs Reserves and despite a string of promising attacks they saw Dogs take a 2-0 half time lead. They continued to create chances in the second half but failed to capitalise while Bulldogs made the most of their chances with two further goals to secure a comfortable victory.

Cowling Reserves entertained unbeaten Horton and saw Alasdair McEwan's goal-bound shot scrambled off the line. Horton took the lead from the penalty spot but Martin Rishton equalised after getting onto the end of Peter Wearmouth's defence-splitting shot.

In the second half Cowling allowed Horton to control the game and they regained the lead, scoring a third late in the match.

Lothersdale made certain of a 4-0 victory in their clash with Silsden Athletic after missing a string of early chances. Dale's substitute David Bennett broke the deadlock when he chipped the keeper minutes after coming on. Mark Westfall made it 2-0. A cracking free kick gave Steve Smith his first goal for weeks and Mark Westfall rounded it off with his side's fourth goal.

Bronte Reserves secured a 5-1 victory at Grindleton. They could have scored more after dominating the game throughout, but wasted several chances. Details of Bronte scorers were not available.

n The first round of the Northern Plant Hire Trophy takes place tomorrow with holders Oxenhope Recreation getting a bye into the second round. Keighley Lifts travel to Division One side Sutton and Bronte Wanderers are also away to Skipton Town.

Lothersdale Athletic are at home to Premier Division side Cononley Sports and Cowling are at home to Division Three side Earby.