BEN Rhydding took another step towards regaining the Division One status they lost three years ago in the Aire-Wharfe League with a crushing defeat of Calverley.

It is only ten years since Ben Rhydding had to apply for re-election to Division Three.

That was soon followed by back-to-back promotions and three years in the top flight that included an appearance in the Waddilove Cup final.

They are now hot favourites to return to Division One.

Any doubts that crept in after the previous week’s defeat by Kirkstall were quickly dispelled when opener Shane Wineti made a half-century, which was reinforced by the middle order – Robbie Miller (62), Oliver Musgrave (34) and Robbie Oldham (32) - steering them to 254-7.

Tom Simpson (4-48) was the only Calverley bowler to make an impact.

Robbie Withers (3-26) soon had Calverley’s top three back in the pavilion, and with Michael Slater taking 4-18 and Wineti 3-18, the visitors were quickly dismissed for 88.

That put Ben Rhydding 17 points clear of third-placed Kirkstall, who lost by two wickets at Steeton.

James Emmott (5-63) restricted Kirkstall to 206, with William Luxton (46), Tom Stead (41) and Oliver Gledhill (53) leading the successful run chase.

Adel continue to dominate the division, 42 points clear of Kirkstall, after a 26-run win at Skipton, who are in deep relegation trouble.

But there’s clearly plenty of fight left in the Skipton outfit, Tom Starkey (35) and Iqbal Khan (41) leading the way as the tail-enders took them from 87-7 to 190.

It seems one of the relegation slots will inevitably be filled by Thackley, now 70 points adrift of safety after defeat at Leeds Modernians. Muhammad Khurshid hit 92 in Thackley’s 183.

Ricky Palacio contributed 105 in Addingham’s 171 but Robbie Salerni (73no) and Gary Walton (54no) steered Hall Park home with seven wickets in hand.

Danny Groom (87) and Mohammed Nadim (50) helped Tong Park Esholt to 180-9 before Nadim (4-34) and Mick Scott (3-33) bowled out Follifoot for 125.

After a shaky couple of weeks, Burley got their Division One title hopes back on track.

Three wickets each for Shane Etherington, Nick Brook and Nicky Bulcock dismissed Collingham for 135, with Jason Wright (51) top scoring as Burley eased home.

They are still 18 points adrift of Beckwithshaw, who ended Horsforth’s five-match winning streak, bowling them out for 104.

Having clawed their way back into contention, Otley suffered a setback against Bilton.

James Davies (5-49) and Chris Thompson (3-48) restricted the visitors to 192-5, and Davies (39) gave Otley a sound start but they then struggled against Kiel van Vollenhoven, who picked up 5-46 to clinch a 32-run win.

Tom Brady (45) top-scored in Guiseley’s 217-8, which was far too good for Pool, who crashed for 101, with only Sam Wilkinson (28) putting up much resistance.

Ahmed Raja scored 85 as Rawdon made 184-9, which Ilkley passed comfortably, led by Terry Pattinson (41) and Will Spivey (76).

Opener Chris Langley hit an undefeated 91 as Saltaire beat St Chads Broomfield by seven wickets and took over the top spot in Division Three.

They replaced Olicanian, who went down to defeat at Green Lane for the second time this season.

Lane’s 146-9, in which Azhar Mahmood made 35, looked quite modest but Neil Britton (4-34) and Michael Ellis (4-43) dismissed the visitors for 132, despite the efforts of Harry Smallwood (51no).

That gives Lane an outside chance of catching the top two, and their cause was helped by Menston, who dented Bardsey’s challenge.

Doug Bradley (103) and Amer Ayub (50) helped Menston race to 282-8 before Ayub (4-38) and David Blackburn (3-24) halted Bardsey at 252.

Paul Quinlan produced a season-best 6-21 spell to dismiss Bolton Villas for 103, which Harden passed in 19.5 overs, Tom Cummins (54) and Mark Portlock (29no) heading the charge.