A LAST-WICKET stand of 41 between Stephen Pearson and Josh Gill helped Steeton to a first win of the season, pipping Ilkley by five runs

Freddie Pearson (47) gave Steeton a solid start but they then lost three quick wickets and looked in danger of being bowled out cheaply when Henry Wilson picked up two in three balls at 114 on his way to 5-48.

But Stephen Pearson (25no) and Gill (9) battled away for nine overs and managed to take the total to 188.

With James Freebury picking up 4-59, Ilkley were still 37 short of victory when last man Joe Varley joined Wilson at the crease and Steeton clinched the win when Freebury caught Wilson for 26.

Pool also managed a first win beating Rawdon by 62 runs with Ollie Boggie (5-50) and Jake Zjilinszky (3-28) bowling out the visitors for 156. Earlier David Paynter (51) and an eighth-wicket stand of 48 between Billy Whitford (27) and Sam Wilkinson (43no) was the backbone of Pool’s innings.

With league leaders Beckwithshaw cruising to victory over Bilton, Horsforth needed a win at Kirkstall to stay on their heels and they succeeded comfortably, thanks to a brilliant century from Ollie Hardaker.

His 135 included 10 fours and nine sixes and big partnerships with Gareth Lee (31) and Ryan Sharrocks (28) as Horsforth set a target of 269-8 before dismissing the home side for just 110.

Division Two leaders Guiseley kept their unbeaten record with a comfortable win at Calverley. Harrison Durkin (76no) top scored in their 205-5 before Richard Nichols took his season’s wicket tally to 18 with a 6-42 spell that saw Calverley bowled out for 131.

Pieter Coetzer was the star of Skipton’s five-wicket win over Addingham, following up a 4-30 spell with 55 and sharing a stand of 95 with Shahid Nadeem (49).

There was no joy for Ben Rhydding at Thackley where Andy Stothart (4-41) helped restrict them to 146, a total the home side passed with seven wickets in hand.

There was a shock in Division Three where second-placed Olicanian crashed to defeat at struggling Upper Wharfedale. All had looked well when Ed Broadley took 5-28 as the home side were dismissed for 123 but with the exception of Tom Smallwood (42), Olicanian’s batting failed and they slumped out for 89.

For a while leaders Hall Park’s 100 per cent record looked in danger when they lost five wickets for 82 in reply to Bardsey’s 110 but Gary Walton (33no) saw them home without further loss.

Tong Park Esholt took over second spot with a five-wicket win after Nick Flood (5-25) and Muhammad Khan (4-33) bowled out New Rover for 113.

Nick Britton picked up 6-29 in Menston’s 153 but Nadeem Hanif (4-35) and Tom Carlyle (4-33) ensured Green Lane were dismissed still needing 29 to win.