Rawdon took full advantage of Knaresborough’s shock defeat by Colton to climb above their opponents into second place in a tense, five-way battle for promotion from Division Two.

That will give them every confidence of clinching top flight cricket next season for, while they will finish the campaign with two games against sides in the lower half of the table, the other four have at least one match against another contender.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Rawdon who struggled against Bardsey’s opening attack and limped to 51-5 before Ryan Gladwin (75) and Andrew Doidge (71) saved them with a sixth wicket stand of 138.

Anthony Gilks added 45 to give them a 262 total before Josh Hobson(3-18) and John Hughes (5-52) dismissed the visitors for 132.

Leaders Ilkley have a five-point cushion after beating relegated Calverley by eight wickets.

Opener Julian Thornhill hit 92 of Calverley’s 196-9 but an opening stand of 171 between Jonathan Hughes (105) and Alex Bailey (68) made sure Ilkley had a comfortable afternoon.

Not so Tong Park Esholt. With Nadeem Hanif (5-40) restricting Adel to 106, it should have been straightforward but they lost five wickets on the way to victory, Khalid Rehman top scoring with 48.

Thackley kept alive their slim hopes of going up with victory over North Leeds. Mahir Ali (5-60) and Nasser Jamal (3-43) bowled out the visitors for 182 and Majid Khan with 96 in 91 balls led the run chase.

At the other end of the table, Bolton Villas still need three points to be sure of staying up after a losing draw against Green Lane.

Phil Atkinson (82) and Lee Bramham (63no) starred in Lane’s 234-9 and a defiant half century from Lee Margerison helped Villas hang on for two points.

Otley boosted their chances of taking runners-up spot in Division One by taking four points off Bilton who now only have a three point lead over them.

Stewart Smith hit 120, including 16 fours and three sixes, and Matt O’Grady added 50 in Otley’s 267-8. Bilton lost three quick wickets when they reached 150 and were still 20 short of victory at the close.

James Davies, who took 10-15 to equal the league’s best bowling figures when the sides met earlier in the season, had sharply contrasting fortunes this time. He finished with 1-88 from his 15 overs.

Burley are also three points behind Bilton after a tight win over Guiseley, who had looked on top when Australian Tallan Wright (4-56) and Damon Reeve (4-49) restricted them to 164.

But Nick Brook (3-32) and Ed Brown, who followed up a top score of 45 with 3-40, had other ideas. Having reached 116-3, Guiseley lost five wickets in 16 balls without scoring and were finally dismissed for 155.

Robbie Oldham (94) top scored in Ben Rhydding’s 211-9 in which Phil Leng and Richard Wear each picked up four wickets. Jason Wright (5-30) then took charge and Harden were bowled out for 119.

Neil Spragg (93no), John Akrigg (78) and Chris Baines (47) helped Steeton to a season best 318-6 before Stephen Pearson (3-49) and James Emmott (5-46) dismissed Collingham for 216.

Just a year after finishing rock bottom of the league, Skipton clinched the Division Three title with a win over New Rover.

Graham Summersgill (50) and Steve Carling (52no) led the successful chase of Rover’s 156 in which Andrew Fergie took 4-28.

Upper Wharfedale’s win over Illingworth keeps them in second place, a point ahead of Horsforth who scrambled to victory over Adding- ham.

New Zealander Ricky Palacio (72) top scored once again in Addingham’s 166 with seamer Mark McEneaney picking up 4-44.

With Mike Barber taking 5-46, Horsforth were struggling until Ian Stephens (68no) and Andy Robinson (40no) came to the rescue with an unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 71 which could yet prove invaluable.

Jamie Hudson (65no) and Bernard Hughes (5-19) starred in Olicanian’s seven-wicket win over Silsden while half centuries from Gareth Lee and Kyle Smith saw Menston past Hall Park’s 198-8 in which Aaron Chapman hit 56 and Ally Walshaw 42no.