DEFENDING champions Bowes are closing in on their third successive title after they enjoyed two wins last week to move to within three points of leaders Richmond Town Academy, with four games in hand.

On Saturday, they won 2-1 at second-placed Buck Inn Broncos, who had beaten Richmond Athletic 3-0 the previous Wednesday evening.

Fabio Sartini gave Broncos the lead just before the break, but the champions were level when Wayne Thwaites scored from the spot midway through the second half. With eight minutes left, Andrew Smith finished emphatically to hand the title initiative to Bowes.

Bowes then came from behind again to win 4-2 at Leyburn United on Monday. A brace from Glynn Barnard put an under-strength home side in control within half an hour, but Scott Walker gave Bowes a lifeline in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Wayne Thwaites equalised soon after the restart, but it was not until six minutes from time that Rory Edwards put them ahead for the first time. Walker then sealed the points on the break.

The Broncos bounced back with a 5-2 win at Hawes United on Monday to keep their title hopes alive. A brace apiece from Mark Sims and Anth Weighall, plus a strike from top scorer Phil Stirling, was enough to give the Broncos the points despite a Wilf Dinsdale penalty and a header from Jonathon Champion for Hawes.

Leaders Richmond Town Academy were held to a 1-1 draw at in-form Colburn Town on Wednesday of last week.

Kirkby Malzeard were unable to raise a team for their trip to Richmond on Saturday, but the Academy returned to action on Monday and maintained their one-point advantage at the top with a 2-0 win at Unicorn FC thanks to goals from Michael Birdsall and Nick Jenkins.

On Wednesday of last week, Leyburn United thrashed Hawes B 9-1 and, on Saturday, they beat visitors Carperby Rovers 4-2. Goals from Lee Fawcett, Glynn Barnard and Anderson put Leyburn in control before the break, but a penalty from Steve Thompson and a cross-shot from Paul Stephenson had Rovers back in it within 15 minutes of the restart. But Leyburn broke out to seal the points through Barnard again ten minutes from time.

Colburn Town staged a remarkable second-half comeback to win 4-3 at Hawes United on Saturday, before then beating Carperby 3-1. Hawes had beaten Buck Inn Old Boys 2-1 three days earlier and they raced into a 3-1 lead by the break. After Ashley McInnerney gave Colburn a first-minute lead, a brace from Calvert and a fine strike from Nick Prince had Hawes in control. Adam Taylor pulled a goal back for the visitors, but they then had two men sent off for dissent. The nine men rallied and McInnerney brought them level before Tom Keegan hit a late winner. At Carperby, goals from Tom Keegan and Mike Brend put Colburn ahead. Thompson pulled one back just before the break, but Pottinger sealed the points for Colburn 20 minutes from time.

Richmond Mavericks A drew twice in three days. On Wednesday of last week, they came from behind to grab a 2-2 home draw with Unicorn, but it was 0- 0 when Buck Inn Old Boys visited Easby on Saturday.

Askrigg United moved off the bottom with a 2-1 win at Richmond Athletic on Saturday. A brace from Hayden Shutt gave the visitors their second win of the season despite a goal from Nick Dagg for Athletic.

Hawes B came from behind to beat Reeth 3-2. Ashley Iveson gave the hosts a half-time lead, but Steve Bainbridge and Andrew Clarkson put Reeth ahead before late goals from Iveson and Rob Hunt gave Hawes the points.

Spennithorne drew 2-2 at Redmire United on Saturday.

An own goal from John Acton and a strike from Sam Holmes put the hosts in control, but Martin Dixon gave Spenny a lifeline and Andrew Dale smashed in the equaliser.