DEFEAT by leaders Otley sent Guiseley crashing to the foot of the Aire-Wharfe League Division One with only four games left.

For the second time this season they managed to bowl Otley out – something that has only happened in the league five times in 18 starts – but they were again unable to cash in on their bowlers’ success.

It was the fifth time they have lost after dismissing their opponents, a failure that might cost them dear although their fate is in their own hands because they still have to play three of the sides in the bottom five.

Joe Inglis (3-31) and Chris Wain (3-48) looked too have set up the chance of a shock when they restricted Otley to 184 in which James Davies (67) and Jamie Pickering (48) were the main contributors.

But apart from former Otley batsman Stewart Smith (55no), the Guiseley batting crumbled against the accuracy of Sam Blake (3-25) and especially Ricky Halloran, whose ten-over spell returned 5-11 – his second five-wicket haul against Guiseley.

Guiseley slipped below Follifoot, who beat Rawdon in a thrilling finish. Set to chase 130, Rawdon were pegged back by Damian Lawrence (6-35). Their last pair of Stuart Ward and Harry Nicholson edged their side towards victory but Ward was trapped lbw with Rawdon still two short of victory.

The bonus system kept Ilkley a point above the drop zone after their defeat by Kirkstall. Henry Wilson (4-48) and Rob Spivey (3-58) helped restrict the visitors to 217-9, which gave Ilkley four bowling points, and with 49 from Rory Kroon, they just managed to reach 175, and a third batting bonus point, before being dismissed.

Burley will be pleased to see the back of Bilton, who beat them for the second time in the league a week after overcoming them in the Waddilove Cup final.

Despite the efforts of Charlie Davy (58), Burley fell 83 runs short of their rivals’ 252-7 total.

Three Steeton bowlers took two wickets in an over, including James Emmott (5-39), as North Leeds were dismissed for 150. Once again their fragile batting cracked after Andrew Foulds (23) was dismissed as they slumped to 92 all out.

Steve Carling hit 15 fours in making 105 as Division Two leaders Skipton set a target of 231-8.

Green Lane chased hard, including a seventh-wicket stand of 70 between Azhar Mehmood (35) and Asif Yusuf (40), but Richard Nichols (5-47) ensured Skipton recorded another win. Iqbal Khan’s run out of last man Michael Slater with two balls remaining, clinched maximum points for Skipton.

Bailey Worcester (75) starred as Horsforth climbed back into the top two, replacing their opponents Colton, who were dismissed for 101 in reply to the home side’s 181, with Gareth Lee taking 4-3 in four overs.

The defeat of Colton allowed Pool to climb into third with victory over Tong Park Esholt, thanks to some fine batting from David Paynter (96) and Ben Platt (68).

Sidhant Adhatrao joined Thackley in June and has proved one of the signings of the season. He scored 109 in the victory over Illingworth – his third century taking him past 600 runs in league and cup.

Danny Maguire (5-33) and Jonathan Rudge (3-55) reduced the visitors to 177 in reply to Thackley’s 226-8.

Despite Alex Miller following up a four-wicket haul with an unbeaten 28, Ben Rhydding went down by 26 runs at Adel, and there was a similar gutsy effort from Harden’s Paul Quinlan.He made 49 and took three wickets but was unable to prevent a six-wicket defeat at Knaresborough.

The Division Three title race remains too close to call, with only 12 points between leaders Addingham and fifth-placed Old Modernians..

Henry Barrow (57) top-scored in Addingham’s 250-9, with Nick Harford (3-57) and Richard Hey (3-9) then helping to bowl out Bardsey for 116.

An unbeaten 64 from Scott Sanderson and 42 from Chris Wheeler were the highlights as Olicanian overcame Upper Wharfedale by 22 runs to stay second.

Calverley remain firmly in the hunt after three wickets each from Jonathan Hudson, Tom Westerman and Jatinder Singh skittled out Menston for 65.

Hall Park’s hopes of forcing their way into the promotion places faded when they were dismissed for 88 in reply to Old Modernians’ 189.

Sam Lawrence (5-19) and Lewis Brown (3-29) dismissed Silsden for 53 to set up a nine-wicket win for Bolton Villas.

The result means Silsden will have to apply for re-election.