REPORT BY: EMMA KENNEDY

RAWDON are 26 points behind league leaders Otley, albeit with a game in hand, after easing to an eight-wicket win at Ilkley on Saturday.

No batter managed more than Rob Spivey (31) for Ilkley as they were bowled out for 145, with Nathan Goldthorp (3-36) and George Myers (2-9) the best of the bowlers.

Jake Hodges (53) and James Dobson (58 not out) then led Rawdon’s reply before Myers (27 no) hit the winning runs midway through the 25th over.

Otley remain in pole position for the Aire-Wharfe League Division One title, despite riding their luck in a low-scoring match at Burley-in-Wharfedale on Saturday and chasing down 158 with just one wicket, and two balls to spare.

Nicky Bulcock (34) was as good as it got for the hosts as Damon Reeve (4-46) took control with the ball before making an unbeaten 44 to see the visitors claim the narrowest of wins.

Saltaire have remained largely under the radar, but their steady climb up the table continued with a five-wicket victory at home to Addingham, who were helped to 158-9 by middle-order Will Atkins (49) after electing to bat first.

Despite a steady start, a 96-run partnership between Sajad Ali (46) and Mutashan Ali Shah (37) saw the hosts cruise home with overs to spare.

It’s been all change at the bottom of the table, however, with the bottom four sides, New Rover, Beckwithshaw, Bilton, and North Leeds in action against each other.

Basement boys North Leeds claimed the maximum 20 at home to Bilton, Harry Kellaway (52), skipper Taran Chana (42), and Amir Farooq (33) all contributing with the bat as they chased down the visitors’ 179 with 14 balls to spare.

New Rover also moved out of the bottom three with a 41-run win against Beckwithshaw, after a 125-run partnership between Waleed Akhtar (89) and Fahid Rehman (70) saw them bat out their overs to finish on 237.

Change bowler Aqsad Ali then proved a thorn in Beckwithshaw’s side after tea, taking a staggering 7-51 to bowl them out for 196 in reply.

Elsewhere, Horsforth Hall Park were victorious by 75 runs at home to Collingham & Linton, despite Nadeem Shefta (6-18) having left the visitors in a strong position at tea.

However, Collingham couldn’t deal with openers Ricky Halloran (6-12) and Sam Hyde (2-29), nobody making more than 19 as they were castled for just 77 in reply.

Tong Park Esholt still head Division 2 but were beaten for the third time this season at home to Steeton.

Batting first, Jack Ramage (134) and captain Stevie Pearson (102 no) were in fine form as Steeton raced to 337-4 from their 50 overs, but despite half-centuries from skipper Dave Hester and Gareth Wilkinson, Paul Quinlan (5-62) ensured the leaders could only manage 215 in reply.

That opened the door for second-placed Pool to close the gap at Green Lane but they failed to do so, with Neil Britton and Nadeem Safdar taking three wickets apiece to restrict them to just 149.

Opener Arsaam Malik then smashed 87 – including 12 fours and two sixes – as the hosts reached their target in the 33rd over.

Instead, Follifoot are up to second after having a field day with the bat at home to Harden, despite at one point being 1-1.

The disappointment though was short-lived, James Orton (91) putting on 108 for the second wicket with Tom Stewart (48) before Nick Robinson hit an unbeaten 99 from 65 deliveries and Yasar Ali scored his half-century in a similar fashion as they finished on 328-4.

Despite contributions from Chris Welch (56) and Mark Portlock (41), Elliott Jennings (3-54) and Ali (3-72) ensured Harden fell 72 runs short.

Adel are the other team in contention for promotion, claiming maximum points at Olicanian after a 135-run stand between George Trueman (73) and captain Elliot Audsley (69) saw them to a competitive 239-7.

The hosts were struggling at 66-5 in reply before Nicholas Walker (69) and Dave Healey (31) added stability at the crease, but they couldn’t prevent their side from being bowled out for 202 in reply.

Lachlan Cork’s 7-72 wasn’t enough to stop Colton Institute from claiming a one-wicket win at home to Calverley, home skipper Ian Philliskirk hitting a fine 113 from 98 deliveries as they chased down 229 in the 44th over.

The only other match saw last-placed Horsforth close the gap to Harden with a 54-run win against Bardsey at King George’s Field, Mitch Bunker (5-34) and Matt Wainwright (3-8) seeing them successfully defend 186.