THE Wensleydale league is set for an exciting climax with all of the top four teams still in contention for the title.

League leaders Hawes United failed to take full points from their visit to rivals Middleham Town last Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw.

Middleham had the better of the first half and took the lead just before half-time when Paul Barnard scored with a ten-yard volley.

Hawes were disappointed not to draw level after 60 minutes when a James Bell lob was judged not to have crossed the line.

But they equalised ten minutes later when Trevor Blades headed against the crossbar and Nick Prince scored from the rebound.

Middleham keeper Andrew Steel kept his side in the game with an excellent save from a Mark Alderson shot after 78 minutes.

Bowes closed the gap at the top to five points when they entertained Reeth and District and won 3-0.

Reeth started the stronger, creating two clear chances in the first ten minutes, but it was Bowes who took the lead after 30 minutes when Trevor Guy connected with a Jamie Walker cross.

Reeth were reduced to ten men five minutes later when Steve Clarkson was sent off for retaliation.

Bowes increased their lead after 75 minutes when Andrew Close flicked on a Luke Smith cross and Justin Hess scored from close range.

Hess got his second five minutes later and just missed out on a hat-trick when his lob struck the crossbar after 84 minutes.

Richmond Mavericks have four games in hand over the leaders and will consider themselves still serious contenders after a 3-0 win at home to Askrigg United.

Mavericks took the lead after only 32 seconds through Darren Mathews and two more goals from Clive Layfield and Gary Walker effectively sealed the game before half-time.

Richmond Buck moved up two places with a 4-1 victory away to Swale Travaux.

Martin Peacock opened the scoring for the visitors after 15 minutes when he tapped home after the Swale keeper fumbled.

Swale levelled five minutes later, only to see the lead restored by a Gavin Boulton goal before half-time.

Boulton got his second after 70 minutes and Mark Cleminson netted with ten minutes remaining to make sure of the win for Buck.

At the foot of the table Redmire United moved up a place with a 1-0 away victory over Kirkby Malzeard.

The first half saw both teams struggle to break down the opposition's defence. Redmire started the brighter in the second half and scored the game's only goal after 88 minutes through substitute Stuart Gall.

Leyburn United also moved up the table after winning 2-1 away to Hawes B.

Steve Ward put Hawes ahead late in the first half, but second-half strikes by Tom Chilton and Joe Littolis earned Leyburn the three points.

John Pickard scored five times for Carperby as they beat bottom of the table Hipswell 7-0.

Pickard missed a penalty after nine minutes, but opened his account a minute later. Another goal for Pickard and one for Nick Oliver made it 3-0 at half-time.

The second half brought much of the same, with Pickard netting a further three times and Oliver getting a second