SIDES at the top of the table seem to have the ability to win tight matches, and Otley, leaders of the Aire-Wharfe League Premier Division, are no exception.

They needed 17 off the final two overs to beat lowly visitors Tong Park Esholt, but it took only seven balls thanks to hard-hitting late-order batter Sam Kellett, who ended up 32 not out off just 14 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.

TPE were sent in and made 216-9, Otley’s overseas Roby Lane bowling superbly to take 6-36, Steve Brown backing him up well with 2-35, also off 15 overs, as the pacemen struggled compared to the spinners.

Alex Atkinson anchored Otley’s reply with 88, including 13 fours and a six, and wasn’t out until the 46th over, when the Cross Greeners still needed 31.

Atkinson added 68 for the second wicket with Josh Atkinson (26) and 52 for the fifth with captain Andrew Rhodes (22) before Kellett took over.

Second-placed Collingham & Linton took a maximum haul at Rawdon, bringing the margin to Otley down to 22 points.

Rawdon sent the defending champions in, who made an imposing 244-8, George Solti-Dupas doing well to take 5-53.

The home side never threatened after tea, being rumbled for 133, despite 30 from opener Richard Porter and 24 from captain Joe Smith.

Rawdon drop to fifth, but Burley are up to third after a five-wicket triumph at Saltaire.

The men from Roberts Park were 76-7 but more than doubled their score to 156 via a wagging tail, Jonathan Postle taking the first six wickets on his way to an outstanding 8-44.

Burley’s reply was solid, taking until the 44th over to triumph, Joe Hall (62) putting on 44 with Mark Harrison (13) for the first wicket and 51 for the third with Jason Krafft (26).

Horsforth Hall Park have climbed three places to seventh after easily defeating visitors Steeton.

An opening stand of 70 between Joe Greaves (39) and Steve Wilkinson (30) set Hall Park on their way to 208-9, but they needed a partnership of 77 for the ninth wicket by Jacob Phillips (41) and No 10 Ricky Halloran (47no) to take them past 200, having been 128-8.

Phillips hit three fours and Halloran five fours and a six, Phillips then taking 3-8 and John Brough 3-12 as Steeton subsided to 79 all out, with Halloran bagging 2-16 and Charles Greatbatch 2-18.

Pool were involved in a much tighter contest at North Leeds, who made 207-5 after being sent in, Charlie Bradbourne taking 3-20 and Sam Lawrence 2-48.

The visitors were looking confident after opener Logan Duval (50) had put on 68 for the second wicket with Will Pallister (48), but No 8 Charlie Popely was left high and dry on 23 not out as they were dismissed for 187.

In Division One, Addingham have a 17-point lead at the top after making mincemeat of Harden, who were castled for 55 having been asked to bat.

The visitors only used two bowlers, with Nick Farrell taking 4-30 and Ricky Palacio 6-22.

Palacio then put on his pads to score 16 in a partnership of 48 with Robbie Miller (29no) as Addingham won by nine wickets halfway through the seventh over.

Olicanian are third after winning a tight match at Bolton Villas.

Ollies had small stands throughout their 194, the best of which was 40 between Tom Smallwood (66) and James Hudson (34), Dave Healey scoring 29 and Manley du Preez 20.

Villas were not in the contest at 121-9 before a last-wicket stand of 61 had the visitors sweating, Thilip Kumar Sappani taking 4-22 and Mustafa Sajjad 4-39.

Ilkley are fourth, two points behind Olicanian, climbing three places after a comprehensive win at home to Colton Institute.

Keeper Will Spivey (26) and Sam Housam (61) gave Ilkley a fine start with a partnership of 83, and Woodie Luffman (46) and Robbie Murray (16) continued the good work with a stand of 51 in their 234-6.

Colton could not then cope with Paul Dover (6-30) and Louis Brown (2-36) as they were all out for 146.

Runs were harder to come by at Guiseley, who dismissed Beckwithshaw for 138, Aniket Rana (5-23) and Louis Barker (4-29) triggering a collapse from 99-2.

However, Guiseley then forgot their batting straps as they were toppled for 86, opener Rob Thomas (24), Jack Kelly (18) and James Davey (13) being the only trio to detain the scorers for long.

Menston, pushing for promotion from Division Two, handed Rodley their fifth defeat in as many matches this season, but the visitors took until the 47th over to pass the home side’s 202-6.

Even so, it needed an unbroken partnership of 128 between Ethan Lowans (47no) and captain George Marsden (62no) to see Menston home after they were 75-6, with Lowans hitting six fours and Marsden 12.

Horsforth are currently the best of the rest in fourth place on 76 points after a low-scoring triumph at Alwoodley, Brad Moritz taking 5-28 after the home team were sent in and sent back for 89.

The visitors barely scored at more than two an over in reply, but won by two wickets in the 43rd over, stand-out opener Tom Colley being last out at 86, having made 61, which included eight fours.

Runs were also at a premium at Cookridge, where Leeds Modernians won by 18 runs against Bingley Congs.

Ashley Rowden’s 42 was the highlight of Mods’ 108, opener Jonathan Wiggan (21) and Muzamal Ahmed (18) being the only other two into double figures.

Congs had four players troubling the scorers, but nothing better than 21 in their reply of 90, the wickets being shared among Stuart Borrill (4-34), Rowden (3-23) and Dirdh Patel (3-29).

The ball was racing across the outfield much more at Green Lane, who made 189-8 after being asked to bat by third-placed Shadwell, who may have been regretting that decision early doors.

Chris Bogdanos (64) and Max Lee (40) set Lane on their way with a partnership of 90, though Shadwell pulled things back well after that to restrict the hosts to 189-8.

Lane tried seven bowlers, but it was no use as Shadwell won by six wickets in the 47th over.