Aire Wharfe League Ben Rhydding’s run of three successive wins was brought to an end against Steeton on Saturday.

A swashbuckling innings from Mark Taylor helped Steeton turn recent form on its head and clinch a four-wicket win.

Steeton had taken only two points from their previous four league outings, dropping from second to eighth in the table, and been bundled out of the cup by Second Division Thackley.

The formbook suggested that Ben Rhydding were favourites, but Steeton, who were pipped to the Division Two title by the Ilkley side in 2011, had other ideas.

Ross Suri (5-70) and James Emmott (3-44) restricted Ben Rhydding to 194, a total boosted by No8 batsman Robbie Oldham’s 45.

The chase was at 68-3 when Taylor came to the wicket and he smashed eight fours and a six in scoring an unbeaten 74 in 44 balls and shared a stand of 56 with Andrew Luxton (30) as Steeton eased home.

With showers calling for some tricky maths to work out a proper share of overs, there were bound to be some ‘if only’ matches, but not at Otley who saw off in-form Collingham to go second in the table.

James Davies, fresh from taking all ten wickets the week before, quickly gave Otley the advantage, removing the first two visiting batsmen with only one on the board.

Toby Jacklin (48) helped champions Collingham set a target of 149-8 which Otley saw off in 34.1 overs.

That put them into second p lace above Burley who were frustrated by the weather against Bilton, who made 216-5.

Mike Truswell (73) and Nick Brook (78) put on 122 for Burley’s third wicket but they were three runs short of victory at the close and had to settle for a1-1 rain affected draw.

Bottom club Harden were also narrowly denied victory against Kirkstall. Despite the efforts of Simon Wood, who followed up a top score 46 with 3-11, and Andy Bailey (4-15), the visitors last pair just managed to hold on for a 1-1.

That point at least lifted Harden above Follifoot who were swept aside by Guiseley.

They made 144-9 as former Nottinghamshire seamer David pennett picked up 4-55.

Australia Tallan Wright (90no) and Harrison Durkin (36) led Guiselkey to a six-wicket win.

James Milligan (61) and George Myers (72) put on 112 as Rawdon passed Green Lane’s 150 with six wickets in hand. The win puts them up to second in Division Two, above Thackley who were forced by darkening skies to gamble with a declaration at 153-2, in which Majid Khan (83no) starred.

But Alex Bailey, whose 86no included five sixes, and Jonathan Hughes (47no) gave Ilkley an eight-wicket win.

Lee Margerison (59) and Andrew Clarke (61no) dominated as Bolton Villas beat Colton while struggling Calverley came agonisingly close to a first win against Tong Park Esholt.

Gareth Wilkinson (92no) shared a fifth-wicket stand of 151 with Darren Wilson (41) as Park reached 203-9. Jamie Chapman (47), Alan West (48) and Tom Simpson (44no) raised Calverley hopes but they were bowled out five runs short of victory with veteran Mick Scott picking up 5-28.

Skipton remain top of Division Three even though the rain spoiled their match against Menston after Faisal Hussain (6-33) and Richard Nichols (3-33) bowled out the visitors for 132.

Horsforth, could only manage two points against Illingworth despite the efforts of Mark McEneaney (4-53) and Andy Robinson (4-78), allowing Upper Wharfedale to go into second spot by beating Woodhouse.

Steve Phillips (72) and Aaron Chaplin (64) inspired Hall Park to 228 with Jonathan Postle (4-52) and Denis Rock (5-24) reducing Addingham to 159-9 in which Ricky Palacio hit 60, but again the weather forced a draw.

Chris Wheeler (79) and Jamie Hudson (54) put on 112 in Olicanian’s 167-4 but it wasn’t enough to deny New Rover who hit the winning run off the last available ball.

Silsden lost in the basement battle with Alwoodley, bowled out for 105 in which Majid Inayat scored 31.