MIDDLEHAM clinched the title with two games to spare with a 4-2 win at Reeth on Monday - their third victory in six days.

Their triple success began at Hawes B, where they ran out 4-1 winners. Gary Acton hit a double, Phil Crowe scored and Hawes B weighed in with an own goal, with Steve Ward on target at the right end.

Town moved another step closer to the title last Saturday with a 7-2 triumph at Redmire.

Redmire started the better side, taking the lead through a Bruce Lambert flick, and held their own until the 35th minute. But, after Lee Fawcett's equaliser, Mike Bailey soon headed Town in front and Middleham took control in the second period.

Glynn Barnard hit two, his brother Jason also notched, Bailey headed his second and Acton hit his fourth goal in four games. Darren Enright struck a late consolation.

Acton opened the scoring at Reeth with a cool lob before Chris Rukin hit a quick double to turn the game on its head.

But Acton headed Middleham level and Jimmy Wilkinson's free kick put them in front seconds before half-time.

Glynn Barnard's excellent finish after a left-wing cross sealed the points and the championship trophy.

Second-placed Richmond Mavericks A broke the 100-goal mark for the season last week with a 5-0 triumph at Colburn.

Rueben Bainbridge converted a Scott Fenney cross for the only goal of a scrappy first half. Mavericks moved into top gear after the break with an own goal giving them their second before Fenney scored with a free kick and Gary Nicholson bagged a classy double.

Bowes were also in top goalscoring form, hitting 16 goals in a week to move third.

They beat a stubborn, patched-up Richmond Buck side last midweek thanks to a Wayne Thwaites double and goals from Robbie Hudson and a Rory Edwards free kick. The Buck replied late on through the in-form Steve Ellison.

Bowes hit Leyburn for six last Saturday with a superb display on a very boggy pitch, with Thwaites, Hudson and Andrew Close all hitting doubles.

Visitors Leyburn also played some good stuff, but only had Ashley Lytolis' individual effort to show for their troubles in a 6-1 defeat.

Bowes also struck six at Spennithorne on Monday with Hudson claiming another double in the first half.

Thwaites, a Mark Davis header, a Christopher Beckett penalty and a Matthew Smith goal ensured Bowes ran out easy 6-0 winners.

Spennithorne had gone down 2-0 at Hawes United two days earlier with Lloyd Iveson and Adam Hollingworth notching in the first half on another heavy surface.

Askrigg remained bottom after they fell 4-2 at Carperby amid a poor first-half display.

Paul Stephenson's cool flick, a John Pickard double and David Moore's header had Rovers four ahead before the break.

Martin Alderson lobbed United's first after a good move and James Peacock's free kick gave them further hope, but they missed chances to really worry Carperby.

Champions Rovers also triumphed on Monday with a 2-1 victory over Richmond Buck.

The Buck - playing at Gilling because of some puddles on their home surface - found themselves two down to a couple of classy long-range efforts. James Turner's dangerous corner was deflected in to give the Buck hope late on.

The Richmond side produced one of their best displays of the season last Saturday, winning 3-1 at Reeth to complete a double over their rivals.

Danny Glue got his head to a cross to put the Buck ahead but the defender could only watch as Tony Bowers headed Reeth level.

A rejuvenated Gavin Boulton galloped through the Reeth defence for a superb solo goal and then won his side a penalty which he trotted up to convert himself.

Buck keeper Rob Brentley was in superb form, keeping out all Reeth efforts including an attempt by dejected ex-Buck star Michael Platt