BOWES were crowned champions for the fourth year in a row after they won three times in five days while Colburn were surprisingly beaten twice.

Bowes began their week of destiny with a 6-1 home win over Reeth last Wednesday evening. Goals by Darren Harrison and Robbie Hudson put the hosts in control before the break, while Wayne Thwaites and Daniel Tully then sealed the points soon after the restart. Danny Plumb did pull a goal back for Reeth with 20 minutes remaining, but Mark Thompson and Thwaites again completed the scoring to send Bowes a step nearer the title.

This was then confirmed last Saturday when they beat struggling Askrigg United 12- 1. Regular keeper Thomas Lowes played up front and hit a hat-trick, while Andrew Smith went one better with a four-goal haul. Thwaites and Andrew Close both struck twice while Max Applegarth was on target for a rampant Bowes, before Steven Teasdale grabbed an Askrigg consolation.

With the title in the bag, Bowes could relax for the visit of Unicorn FC on Monday evening but they still ran out comfortable 5-1 winners. Andrew Bellew powerfully headed them into an early lead which Andrew Close and Daniel Tully added to before the break.

Nicky Bellew and Dean Holton then completed the scoring in the second half before Sean Mander grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Colburn Town had been the only team still able to catch Bowes and they briefly kept themselves in touch with a 3-0 home win over Redmire United last Wednesday. A goal by Tom Keegan was all that separated the sides until the last ten minutes when Mike Brend and Carl Pottinger, with his 50th goal of the season, then sealed the points.

However, Colburn had to beat visitors Hawes United last Saturday to remain in the title race but they were surprisingly beaten 2-1 to hand the title to Bowes. Pottinger was again on target for the hosts but, after five clean sheets in a row, goals by Stuart Haygarth and Darren Bell in the final ten minutes condemned Colburn to the defeat that finally ended their brave challenge.

Colburn then lost again, this time 2-1 at Richmond Town Academy on Monday evening. Goals by Sean Radford and Dan Briody either side of the break were just enough to give the hosts the win they needed to guarantee them a third place finish, despite a late reply from Michael Swank for Colburn.

Buck Inn Broncos will finish fourth after they beat Leyburn United 4-3 at home last Saturday.

Goals by Anth Weighall, Scott Wallace and Lewis Wilkinson looked have put the hosts on the way to a comfortable victory, but a brace by Lee Fawcett either side of the break brought Leyburn right back into it. Weighall then hit his second with 20 minutes to go, but Fawcett completed his hat-trick five minutes from time – although the Broncos held on for the points.

Buck Inn Old Boys have enjoyed their best-ever season and they rounded it off in the best possible way with a 7-2 win at Unicorn FC last Saturday.

Mickey White struck another four goals to take his tally for the season on to a club record of 32, while Scott Ryan, Martin Peacock and Steve Ellison were also on target as the Old Boys ensured a fifth place finish.

James Anderson and Mark Turner were on target for the hosts, who had earlier been held to 1-1 by Richmond Mavericks A last Wednesday. A goal by Gary Walker gave the Mavs a half-time advantage but Chris Duckett was on target for Unicorn in the second half to earn them a point.

Hawes United beat their B team 5-0 last Wednesday evening. Darren Bell, Steven Calvert and an own goal by Daniel Peacock sealed the points before the break, while Jonathon Champion and Calvert again then completed the scoring in the second half.

Redmire United have finished in their highest ever position of eighth after they ended their programme with a 5-1 win at Reeth last Saturday.

Tom Osborn, Lee Gall, Sam Holmes, Stuart Dent and Bruce Lambert were all on target as Redmire finished the season in style, while Steve Bainbridge hit the hosts’ consolation.

Reeth were then beaten 7-1 at Leyburn United on Monday evening. Lee Fawcett and Chris Greig put the hosts in control early on and, although Bainbridge briefly put Reeth back into it, a hat-trick from Adam Gray, a second for Fawcett and a strike from Glynn Barnard completed a comfortable Leyburn victory.

Carperby Rovers have endured a tough season but they won 7-1 at bottom side Hawes B last Saturday.

A penalty from Richard Metcalfe gave Rovers the lead midway through the first half, while John Pickard then made it 2-0 just before the break.

Veteran striker Nick Oliver rolled back the years with a fine hat-trick in the second half, while John Sullivan and an own goal completed the rout before Hawes grabbed a late consolation.