LONG Lee have emerged top of the pile in the four-way tussle for the Mewies Solicitors Craven League Division Three championship.

They were at Crossflatts II and won by eight wickets, Jamie Robinson (4-3) and Matt Taylor (4-22) helping to roll over the hosts for 64.

Then Taylor and Paul Stowell both scored 26 as victory was achieved.

Sandy Lane also clinched promotion at Embsay II. The hosts enjoyed an opening stand of 84 by Rob Bateman (49) and Neil Robinson (37) but lost their way to close on 128-8 as Mohammed Ishtiaq took 5-19.

The Greenwood Park side recorded a four-wicket victory in the 40th over, Tahir Raheed making 29.

Cononley were in pole position to take the title but were blown out of the water by fourth-placed Gargrave at Skipton Road, only skipper Andrew Starkey (36) making double figures as Cononley were dismissed for 56 to lose by 133 runs.

There was a tight finish at Sandylands, where Skipton CI held on to defeat Riddlesden II by just three runs.

The home side made 135 as Dan Kernan took 4-56 and Bob Morrisroe 3-8.

Mohammad Qadeer (33) and Steve McGarry (27) tried their best for the visitors but all to no avail in the end.

Michael Baines took 5-10 as Denholme II were dismissed for 63 by visitors Bingley Congs II, who won by four wickets, while Bradford & Bingley III won the Aire View derby by the same margin over Eldwick & Gilstead, despite 46 by opener Michael Brodigan for the latter.

Andy Dobson starred for the third team with 3-9 and 38 not out.

In Division Two, Ingrow St John's conceding to Chatburn confirmed that Thornton-in-Craven and Bradley were relegated.

At least Bradley finished on a high by defeating Glusburn by four wickets at Matthew Lane.

The Park Field side mustered 136-8 thanks to an eighth-wicket stand between Bryan Hollis (23no) and Mark Pickles (19no) as the evergreen John Drake took 4-52.

It took the hosts 42 overs to reach their target, with Chris Capstick making 35 not out and Neil Lambert 34 not out.

Hepworth & Idle and Barrowford were promoted.