DESPITE the best efforts of Phil Binner, Embsay remain in the lower middle of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League First Division.

He dismissed five of the first seven batsmen in taking 5-65 as visitors Haworth Road Meths recovered to make 237, and then top-scored with 39 as the hosts could only reach 155 in reply.

Sutton stay tenth, one place below them and a place above the relegation line, after they were polished off in quick time by Haworth at Royd Hill.

Skipper Craig Thornton (41) and Rob Wilkinson (35) were the main contributors to Sutton's 134 but haworth reached their target in just 27.1 overs with only three wickets down.

Glusburn and leaders Thornton-in-Craven were both in the runs in the Second Division.

Matt Lloyd led the way with an unbeaten 96 for home side Glusburn, Jack Roberts (57), skipper Steve Brown (51no) and wicket-keeper Neil Freeman (37) backing the stylish No 3 up in their 265-4 but Bradley's reply was creditable.

They made 225 in a game of almost 500 runs, James Heseltine hitting 68, Nick Williamson taking 4-65 and Mark Desgranges 3-29.

Thornton-in-Craven also topped 200, making 212-9 at home to Hepworth & Idle, James Greenwood (54), Kev Pollard (51) and Chris Bowker (39) being the main contributors, and Bowker (4-50) completed a fine day alongside Mark Paxton (3-27) as the Bradford visitors were dismissed for 131.

Cononley and Skipton CI continued the theme in the Third Division, Andrew Starkey scoring an unbeaten 82 for joint front-runners Cononley in a thriller at home to Embsay Seconds.

Helping the skipper were Joel Grainger (47), Freddie Maddocks (45) and Herbie Starkey (39) as they piled up 269-8, George Maloney doing well to take 4-25.

Embsay's response could hardly have been closer as they managed 268-9, with Jonno Coward (77) and veteran Brian Hodgson (68) leading the way, wicket-keeper Ben Keane making 32 as Scott Brook bagged 5-80.

Skipton CI's convincing victory over Haworth West End lifted them to fifth. with the hosts posting 212-8 at Sandylands, gloveman Martin Seward hitting 80 and Sean Williamson 35 before the visitors were swept away for 66, John Stuttard (7-25) and Sam Smith (3-41) being the only two bowlers used.

Thornton-in-Craven's 215-2 in one ball under 30 overs re-emphasised the club's ability with the bat as they chased down Haworth's 212 in Bronteland in the Fourth Division.

Paceman and skipper Dan Oldfield (4-35) and off-spinner Phil Oldfield (3-67) did the damage with the ball before Dan (66no), Tom Cleavor (64), Paul Ellis (45) and Jamie Oldfield (31) made haste with the willow.

Richard Saxby's 5-38 and skipper Chris Smith's 4-30 pegged leaders Bingley Congs back to 191 at Beckfoot Lane but that was enough as Gargrave replied with 136.

Ten-man Chatburn made 136 at home to Glusburn, Mark Johnston bagging 3-20 and Bryan Hollis 3-48, but the nine men could only reply with 110, wicket-keeper and opening bat Pete Schofield leading the way with 37.

Life may be a struggle for Sutton's first team but that is not the case for their second team, who lead the way in the Fifth Division.

George Blackwell's 38 not out was the top score in their 215-7, and his score alone was enough to defeat Ingrow, whose last two men did not bat in their 34 all out, young off-spinner Sam Solley taking 6-15.

By the same token, Skipton CI's last man did not take to the wicket as they were dismissed for 105 at Cowling, Ray Jones taking 3-21.

Cowling had earlier made 222-3, Tahir Mahmood (61), Steve Dalby (54) and Sajid Shafait (46) cashing in as fifth bowler used Chris Windle (3-60) took all the wickets.

Andy Holmes (38 and 3-25) performed in both disciplines as Bradley climbed to third with a 101-run victory over Sandy Lane, who dropped to fourth.

Chris Kimberley (60), Neil Lambert (43) and Jack Andrews also shone for Bradley, while Paul Hogg (4-41 and 72) was also in the limelight for Cononley, who made short work of ten-man Long Lee.

Hogg added 139 for the third wicket with Tom Broadbent (67no) after the openers had both gone for ducks in the seven-wicket win which lifted Cononley to sixth.