WITH just three games of the Aire-Wharfe League season remaining, it’s Rawdon who remain in pole position to claim the Division One crown after easing to a 125-run victory at Beckwithshaw.

Electing to bat, middle-order Joe Smith (79) added the majority of the visitors’ competitive 251 before being caught and bowled by Joe Holderness (5-56).

Andrew Doidge (3-17) then saw Beckwithshaw’s innings contain five ducks as they were bowled out for just 126 in reply.

Otley are 22 points further back after claiming the maximum 20 at home to reigning champions Saltaire.

Opener James Davies (139) batted almost the entirety of his side’s innings, with No.7 Charles Simondson assisting with a scintillating 94 not out from just 49 deliveries as the Cross Green side made 343-7.

Davies and Simondson then proved as effective with the ball, taking 2-20 and 3-38 respectively to restrict the visitors to 248, despite Saltaire skipper Sajad Ali making 72.

Captain Jason Wright (102) and Joe Hall (51) impressed for third-placed Burley-in-Wharfedale as they dispatched relegation-threatened North Leeds by 133 runs.

Lewis Morgan (6-61) and Nicholas Brook (3-14) then ran riot after tea, dismissing the visitors for just 154 in response to their 287-7.

At the other end of the table, Ilkley returned to the bottom of the pile after being thrashed by Horsforth Hall Park.

Hall Park’s 325-5 came from the bats of Tom Lester (116), Tom Watson (62), and Andrew Bairstow, who hit a blistering 52 not out from just 23 deliveries.

Andrew Rhodes (43) then made almost half of the hosts’ 98 in reply, with John Brough taking 4-24 and Ricky Halloran 3-21.

Elsewhere, fifties from Fahid Rehman and Rohan Ratnalingham saw New Rover claim a 79-run win at home to Bilton, despite Russell Robshaw taking 5-62 and wicketkeeper Chris Perison making 81 for the visitors.

Cooper Robinson’s 75 also wasn’t enough to help Addingham to victory against Collingham & Linton, with Toby Jacklin (5-47), Gregory Brown (78 not out), and Dan Kilby (75) starring as the visitors chased down 194 for the loss of just one wicket.

The table is even closer at the top of Division Two, with just eight points separating leaders Tong Park Esholt from second-placed Pool.

The two faced off at Esholt Lane, where Krutik Patel (4-18), Will Pallister (3-26), and Ben Wyard (3-18) saw the visitors leave themselves needing just 80 to secure victory.

Pool lost five wickets in reply but Charlie Bell (30) and Rob Goldthorp (30 no) saw them home with half their overs to spare.

Third-placed Follifoot are also not out of contention, despite falling to a five-wicket defeat at Calverley.

Nav Panesar (5-37) and Lachlan Cork (3-42) saw the visitors bowled out for 110, a total Calverley chased down in 17.5 overs thanks to Scott Driscoll (64 no), despite being 11-3.

The mid-table clash between Steeton and Adel saw the scoreline go the way of the Waddilove Cup champions, with captain Stevie Pearson (75) and Paul Quinlan (61) helping the hosts to a competitive 237.

Tom Harrison (70) and George Trueman (73) put on 145 for the first wicket but it wasn’t enough, Adel falling just five runs short of their target.

A second successive relegation seems all but confirmed for Horsforth, who could only manage 112 at Olicanian, with Mustafa Sajjad (5-39) and Charlie Pilling (3-24) sharing the wickets.

Opener Ryan Morley (75 no) then led the way as the hosts chased down their target midway through the 20th over.

At the bottom of the table, Bardsey took a huge step towards safety after claiming 19 points with a three-wicket win at fellow strugglers Harden.

Electing to bat, Tom Stordy (100) and Chris Welch (53) had left the visitors needing 207 for victory, but it was a total they reached with just four balls to spare thanks to Tom Clayton (71).

The only other match saw Colton Institute ease to a 275-run win at home to Green Lane, Nigel Danby (91), and Paul Horsey (70) top-scoring in their competitive 388.

Green Lane were then bowled out for 113 in reply, with Jonathan Horner taking 4-23 and Ian Philliskirk 3-15.  REPORT BY: EMMA KENNEDY