PRIDE of place in the Devonshire Carpets Craven Football League belonged to Gargrave Reserves, who notched up their 100th goal of the season in the 12-2 victory at Chatburn.

Prolific scorer Ben Brown also achieved a personal landmark taking his tally to 51 for the season with a double hat trick.

Five games were lost to the weather but in the Premier Division, Gargrave put in a brave effort against leaders Oxenhope before succumbing 3-0 at home.

The leaders now have a healthy eight point lead over Waddington, who drew 1-1 with Hellifield, and Skipton LMS, 2-0 winners against bottom club Bronte Wanderers.

The South Craven derby match at Bradley saw the league's leading scorers Cononley take the honours with a solitary goal, while at Carleton the home side suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Grassington United.

Embsay's match at Clitheroe was a victim of the weather.

In Division One full marks to Embsay Reserves, who switched the match to Sandylands' all weather pitch and were rewarded with 5-2 win over Cowling. Rolls Royce had something to smile, about recording a 4-2 away victory at Keighley FC.

In the only other game in Division Two Horton came good, scoring five times against Barnoldswick Barons.

With Earby Town out of action Pendle Renegades took over top spot in Division Three. local sides with both Hellifield Res and Carleton Res recording 3-2 wins over Bradley Res and Cowling Res share the bottom six positions. On the receiving end of the same score line was Skipton Town Res at Oakworth Res.

PREMIER DIVISION Gargrave 0 Oxenhope 3 Against last year's double champions, Gargrave were the better side in the first half closing Oxenhope down at every opportunity and creating chances with some neat football.

Player-manager Jonathan Chapman led by example and a good team effort meant they went it at half time level. Oxenhope's half time chat brought about a different momentum as they took the lead early in the new half with a header from a corner and increased the score with 20 yard shot. Despite the home team's efforts, the visitors sealed the game with a third goal from close range.

Bradley 0 Cononley Sports 1 ON a heavy pitch both sides struggled to show any fluency and although the game went from end to end, chances were few.

The only goal was scored by Wayne Fisher latching on to a through ball, his initial shot was saved by James Monkhouse in the home goal but he was powerless to prevent the striker netting the rebound.

Both sides put in plenty of endeavour but it was the visitors who took the points having to withstand late Bradley pressure.

Carleton 1 Grassington United 5 With both sides at the wrong end of the table, a win was vital to ease any relegation worries and there was full commitment from both sides.

Adam Steventon and Jan Ozdoba put the visitors in a strong position and while Carleton were territorially their equal, Grassington showed better finishing.

Carleton did score with a well taken free kick, only for Matthew Appleton to increase the lead, also with a free kick, and a second from Ozdoba gave Grassington a commanding half time lead of 4-1.

As the pitch became heavier, both sides struggled with the conditions. Grassington played a solid game to defend their lead and a further goal from Steventon secured Grassington a well deserved win. Carleton did not help their cause by having two players dismissed in the second half.

Waddington 1 Hellifield Sports 1 This game was initially postponed on Wednesday; however as the weather improved so did the pitch and by Saturday the game was back on. The heavy pitch made it difficult to play good football, Hellifield was the better side in the early part of the match, and a Carl Stanford penalty gave his side a deserved lead.

Waddington improved their performance in the second half and soon levelled the score. Credit is due to both sides for their endeavours and to referee Willie Naylor for his excellent performance.

DIVISION ONE Keighley FC 2 Rolls Royce 4 This was a welcome win for the away team, who were boosted by the return of Jonathan Phillips following an 18 month lay off.

Playing against the wind, Rolls were under pressure but they weathered the storm and Chris Buchanan broke away to score from an acute angle. The home team equalised when goalkeeper Parkinson allowed the ball to creep through his legs following a corner.

Five minutes before the break Rolls regained the lead with an indirect free kick that Wayne Stead drove into the net. Against the wind Keighley were awarded a penalty for handball, which was converted to level the scores.

Kevin Toland put Rolls back in front with a goal direct from a corner and Buchanan scoring his second from an impressive solo run completed the scoring; in a game which Rolls gave an all round team performance.

Embsay Reserves 5 Cowling 2 This game was played at the Sandylands all weather pitch and made for an excellent game of football, which was played at a fast pace due to the trueness of the pitch.

Embsay's match winner was Dave Greenwood with a hat-trick and John Hillary with a 30 yard special and Matt Reynolds were also scorers.

Division Two Chatburn 2 Gargrave Reserves 12 Gargrave boosted their goal tally in this emphatic win against their hosts who had a player sent off for violent conduct in the first five minutes.

Ben Brown claimed six on the day along with three defenders scoring: Al Tudhope, Richard Scott and Dan Thompson with his first of the season. Matt Brown, Richard Orme and Oliver Hurst completed the scoring. Long serving player Dylan Wilson had the chance of scoring the 100th goal but his penalty was saved giving Brown the honour by scoring on the rebound.

Horton 5 Barnoldswick Barons 1 After a scoreless first half Horton suddenly clicked into gear in the second half scoring five goals into the visitors net and one into their own. Gary Lodge, rejuvenated in his new role as a striker, scored a hat trick, while a Mark Harris free kick and a Carl Johnson header completed the scoring.

Hellifield Reserves 3 Bradley Reserves 2 Hellifield had much the better of the first half and goals from 15-year-old Josh Marshall and Liam Preston gave Hellifield a well-deserved lead at half time.

Bradley emerged as a different team in the second half. Paul Hunt pulled a goal back with a header and deservedly Richard Leslie Robinson brought the teams level. Only some fine saves from the home keeper prevented Bradley taking the lead; however the home side snatched the points when Liam Preston scored an excellent winning goal.

Oakworth Res 3 Skipton Town Res 2 Playing for the first time in a month, Town almost scored when Andrew Waite hit the post but from the clearance Oakworth broke away to open the scoring and increased the lead just before half time.

With the wind at their backs, Town started strongly but conceded a third goal. Not allowing the setback to affect them, the team were rewarded with a well-taken goal from young Andrew Kent. Town continued the pressure which resulted in a penalty and Andrew McEwen duly converted to set up a hectic finish in which Town were denied a point when a rasping shot cannoned back off the bar. Full marks to referee Brian Booth.