PREMIER Division leaders Sherwood were crowned champions after a 2-1 win at Thirsk Falcons last Saturday meant the chasing pack could no long catch them.

Kirkby Malzeard remain favourites to finish runners-up after increasing their unbeaten league run to 18 matches with a 3-0 home win over Kirk Deighton Rangers Reserves.

Shaun Taylor put them ahead after 20 minutes with a header from Andy Thompson's corner and Kirkby really turned on the style in the second half.

Paul Barthram doubled their lead with a great shot on the turn after 65 minutes and Paul Pollard continued his recent hot streak in front of goal by wrapping up the points with ten minutes left.

Division one leaders Dalton Athletic were not in action, but their title chances were given a boost as their two main rivals both dropped points.

Otley Town A went down to a 1-0 defeat at Bedale Town, while Horsforth St Margaret's Reserves were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home to mid-table Killinghall Nomads.

At the other end of the table, Kirkby Malzeard Reserves ensured their safety with a 5-2 home win over Masham a week last Tuesday. In the first of three meetings in a week between the two clubs, Kirkby took the lead after only ten minutes when Mike Savage scored his second overhead volley in three days.

Matty Cullen then doubled their lead ten minutes later with a great free kick and it looked all over when Matt Mitchell scored from the penalty spot in the 55th minute.

But Masham staged a strong fightback. Dan Scott-Paul pulled one back after Rob Theakston's free kick had hit the bar on the hour and substitute John Arnold made it 3-2 with 15 minutes left.

However, the visitors then conceded a further two penalties to enable Mitchell to complete an unusual hat-trick and seal the points for Kirkby.

The two teams met again in the Intermediate Cup semi-final last Saturday, with Kirkby again coming out on top. Savage put them ahead after 20 minutes after a defensive mix-up, but Masham deservedly got themselves level after 65 minutes when Theakston headed in a Dan Nicholson corner.

Just when it seemed extra time would be needed to settle the tie, Tom Murphy struck from 35 yards to put Kirkby in the final.

In division two, Ripon Red Arrows enjoyed a good week with two fine wins. It began with a 2-1 victory in the local derby at Ripon City Magnets A a week last Thursday. Danny Sheppherd put them ahead on the stroke of half-time with a left-foot shot which curled into the far corner before the unfortunate Matthew Clarke put through his own goal to bring Magnets level.

The match seemed to be heading for a draw until a defensive mix-up from Magnets 15 minutes from time enabled Anthony Mackle to win it for the Arrows.

They followed that up with an impressive 5-1 home win over in-form Albert last Saturday to lift them into mid-table security.

Anthony Mackle fired them ahead from the penalty spot after 21 minutes and then doubled their lead 15 minutes later after Lee Fagg had created the opening.

The visitors then showed why they had won their previous five matches with a strong fightback in the second half. They pulled a goal back in the 51st minute and had a great chance to equalise seven minutes later when they were awarded a penalty of their own.

But Arrows keeper Andy Kirkbright made a great save which proved to be the turning point. Almost immediately Arrows won a free kick 25 yards out and Fagg curled it in to make it 3-1.

The points were sewn up in the 71st minute when Anthony Mackle completed his hat-trick with another penalty before Bob Mackle made it five late on. There was still time for Albert to miss their second penalty of the day, this one flying harmlessly over the crossbar.

It was not a good week for Ripon City Magnets A, who followed up that derby defeat by going down 4-2 at home to league leaders Otley Rovers last Saturday.

The visitors scored twice on the break in the opening half an hour before Tom Cregan pulled one back for Magnets before half-time. But any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Otley scored again in the 60th and 75th minutes, meaning Cregan's late second was a mere consolation.

Catterick Village appear to heading towards relegation to division three as they lost for the sixth match in a row, going down 5-0 at Boroughbridge A a week last Tuesday.

Steve Warburton fired the home side ahead after 25 minutes and then doubled their lead with another neat finish five minutes later. Jason Metcalfe made it 3-0 before half-time.

Catterick played much better in the second half, but they could not find a way back into the match and Boroughbridge wrapped it up with two more goals in the last 15 minutes.

Ross Hamilton scored with a spectacular overhead kick from Roy Lousley's cross before Metcalfe ran through to hit the fifth.

Boroughbridge then travelled to Burley Trojans Reserves last Saturday and staged a dramatic late comeback to rescue a point.

The home side were 2-0 up within half an hour and Boroughbridge were still two behind as the match entered the final ten minutes.

Phil Forbes-Bell then gave them hope when he knocked in the rebound after Rob Aspinall's shot had come back off the post and, with virtually the last kick of the match, Steven Parfett drilled in Metcalfe's low cross to keep alive his side's outside chance of promotion.

There are still tickets available for the club's junior disco tomorrow night and anyone is welcome. The club are also holding a race night on April 30 at the clubhouse, with the first race at 8pm. All money raised will go to help the club's move to new facilities