CONONLEY were given a helping hand in their quest for the Division Three title in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League.

The leaders were given three points as hosts Sandy Lane II were unable to raise a side.

However, the gap between Cononley and second-placed Gargrave remains at a point as the latter saw off Riddlesden by 102 runs at Skipton Road.

Joe Wood (63) and Lee Barrett (34) helped the home side to 161-8, but the visitors were shot out for 59, with only Akeel Rashid (11) reaching in double figures as Will Storr (3-9) and Stuart Weatherill (3-14) took the bowling honours.

Six points behind Gargrave are Bradford & Bingley III, who enjoyed a 128-run win over Thornton-in-Craven at Wagon Lane.

The hosts made 209-8, with Adam Swallow (75) and Matthew Doidge (56) leading the way. The Booth Bridge Laners replied with a modest 81 of which Kevin Pollard (29) top-scored and Doidge took the bowling plaudits with 5-8.

Bradley II saw off Embsay II by 33 runs at Matthew Lane.

The home side made 175-7, with Neil Andrews (52) and Caspar Bean (30) putting on 78 for the first wicket as Stephen Speak claimed 3-48 and took three catches.

Neville Allan top-scored with 30 as the Shires Laners replied with 142 as Bean took 4-27 and John Duffey 3-46.

At Sandylands, Skipton CI posted 172-6, with Martin Chisnall making 65 not out and Steven Davidson 36 as Josh Zenner took 3-30.

Visitors Bingley Congs II got home by four wickets with eight balls to spare as the evergreen Tim Burnley made 55 and Dave Hemsley 29.

There was a ding-dong affair at Barrowford II, where 18 wickets fell for only 115 runs.

Visitors Eldwick & Gilstead were castled for 57, with Jacob Roach making 24 as Nigel Jones claimed 3-4.

The Bull Holme side then struggled home for the loss of eight wickets, with No 9 Mohammed Walail making a vital 19 not out as Arnie Raistrick took 6-14.

In Division Four A, leaders Sutton II are six points clear of Crossflatts II.

The Royd Mill side rattled up 187-9, with Dan Hanson (41) and Andy Fountain (34) being the best batsmen as Matt Ryder claimed 4-50.

Visitors Skipton CI II were then hustled out for 90, with skipper Jonathan Sharpe making 35 as Zafar Iqbal took 2-0 and Hanson 2-19.

Crossflatts II brushed aside visitors Cowling II by nine wickets.

The Coliseum side were skittled for 71, with Charlie Hall taking 3-4 and Bryan Freimanis 3-16. Veteran Mick Brooksbank (43no) and Ben Hinchcliffe (24no) then saw the home side to the points.

Hepworth & Idle II are four points behind Crossflatts II after a 46-run victory over Chatburn at Westfield Lane.

Liam Goodaire (37no) and Phil Haigh (32) helped the hosts to 165 as Dan Kellington took 3-28, and the Ribble Valley side closed on 119 as Mark Harland took 5-39.

Foulridge II made 132 at Airedale II, with Muhammad Sarfraz (55) top scoring as Stuart MacLennan (3-20) and Adam Madgett (3-26) were the best bowlers.

The home side were restricted to 85 in reply, with Irfan Khaliq (5-24) and evergreen Ray Tunnacliffe (3-20) doing most of the damage.

Haworth II were unable to raise a side, so gifted three points to Denholme II.

Division Four B champions Silsden enjoyed a fine eight-wicket victory over Bingley Congs III at Keighley Road.

Josh Waind (4-2 off seven overs) and Joe Sugden (3-9) had the Beckfoot Lane side back in the pavilion for 55.

The hosts then cruised home in just ten overs, with Jack Lister (26no) top scoring.

A distant second come Glusburn II, who were victorious by six wickets at Park Field.

Cononley II enjoyed a nine-wicket victory at home to Bradley II, who were dismissed for 73, with Josh Nkwo (24) top scoring as Matt Hogg took 3-8.

Nathan Parker (59) saw the home side to the spoils.

Ten-man Long Lee II went down by five wickets to Ingrow II at Golden View.

The hosts made 89, with Ben Pursey taking 4-9, while the Hainworth innings had six scores in the teens as victory was achieved, with Ben Stowell taking 3-22.

Oakworth III enjoyed their second win of the season when they saw off fellow nine-man side Gargrave II by eight wickets at Penistone Hill.

The visitors made 95-7 in their 45 overs, with Ben Howlett making 24 as Michael Davison took 2-6 and under-14 Ellis Marshall 2-14.

The Wide Lane side have managed to persuade a few 'retired' players to help in their manpower crisis, and one of those, Michael Thompson, hit 63 not out to see them to the winning post.