A Nick Prince hat-trick helped league leaders Hawes United take another big step towards the title on Saturday.

With nearest rivals Bowes on Dales Cup duty Hawes took the opportunity to open up a seven point gap when they visited Reeth and came away 5-1 winners.

Prince opened the scoring for Hawes after only two minutes with a Stuart Dinsdale header making it 2-0 with only five minutes gone.

In the second half Prince netted again after 65 minutes and completed his hat-trick two minutes later. A John Banks header made it 5-0 with fifteen minutes to go with Reeth's Stephen Clarkson scoring a late consolation goal a minute later.

Hawes B lifted themselves of the foot of the table when they held Richmond Buck to a goalless draw.

Both teams created several chances but good work from the two keepers kept the game level in a result that lifts Hawes B two places off the bottom.

Richmond Mavericks got back to winning ways after their surprise exit in the Dales Cup last week with a 12-0 win at home to Hipswell.

Hipswell never got started and a hat-trick each for Philip Stirling and Richard Thompson helped to keep Maverick's title challenge alive.

Carperby Rovers maintained their good form with a 2-0 home win over close rivals Spennithorne and Harmby.

In an even game the home side took the advantage when Stephen Harrison scored after 42 minutes.

Spennithorne enjoyed good pressure in the second half and were disappointed to have two penalty claims turned down but it was Carperby's John Pickard that settled the tie with a goal after 72 minutes.

Swale Travaux and Leyburn United started the day level on points and finished the day still together after the two teams played out a 0-0 draw at Leyburn's Wensleydale School ground.

In the only other game played Bowes travelled to Middleham Town and won 3-1 in a rescheduled second round Dales Cup tie