Ben Rhydding face last-day battle for survival (From Wharfedale Observer)

Ben Rhydding face last-day battle for survival

7:47am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport

Ben Rhydding go into their final game of the season at home to Kirkstall Education-al on Saturday fighting to preserve their Aire-Wharfe Division One status.

They are four points adrift of last year’s champions Thackley who finish their campaign at home to Otley.

Last Saturday’s point from a losing draw against leaders Collingham, means that their fate is no longer in their own hands.

Even if they win, they will still go down if Thackley get a winning draw or better.

Thackley kept the gap at four points with a losing draw at Kirkstall Education-al last Saturday.

Adel are already relegated and Collingham will be crowned champions if they take two points off Steeton, with Beckwithshaw the only side that can catch them.

Burley are certain of at least third place and could climb to second after they beat Otley.

Ryan Cooper hit 108 in 99 balls as Burley recovered from 24-2 to 273-9.

And with Nick Brook (4-39) and Ed Brown (3-48) pegging away, Otley could only manage 214 in reply.

David Wildsmith was an-other century-maker, hitting 103 and together with Craig Walton (48) helping Steeton to 222-6.

Josh Nelson scored 88 in Guiseley’s reply but, with Andrew Luxton taking 6-40, they were dismissed for 178.

James Seymour hit his second century in four matches to steer Harden to an eight-wicket win over Olicanian which clinched the Division Two title and booked a place in the top flight for the first time since they joined the league in 2001.

Despite pressure from four other clubs, Harden kept their nerve in the run-in, taking 48 of 54 points on offer in their last nine completed games after dropping to fourth place in mid-June.

Ben Burkill (4-49) and Andrew Bailey (4-21) res-tricted Olicanian to 170, in which Chris Wheeler hit 59, before Seymour smashed 14 fours and seven sixes inracing to 118 not out off just 53 balls.

The fight to see who will go up with Harden will go to the final week.

Pool are favourites, needing just four points from their match against Bardsey after winning by eight wickets at Upper Wharfedale (137).

Rawdon are still in the chase after a sensational victory over Bolton Villas.

Chasing 197, Rawdon collapsed to 74-8 – but Aussie batsman Joe Loorham was still in and he hit 92, putting on 122 with Josh Hobson (35no), and Rawdon managed to clinch victory by one wicket with less than an over to spare.

Green Lane kept alive their hopes with a convincing win at Bardsey.

Michael Slater’s season-best 5-41 saw the home side bowled out for 140 before Ian Hawk-ridge (46no) and Rob Britton (48) saw Lane home with seven wickets in hand.

Terry Pattinson (42) and Jeremy Batty (73) put on 93 for the fourth wicket as Ilkley set Calverley a target of 226-8, with Ben Waller picking up four wickets.

Julian Thornhill (27) and Anthony Jones (26) gave Calverley a solid start but Henry Wilson (5-61) and Batty (5-37) dismissed them for 193.

Calverley were able to breathe a sigh of relief because Pool’s win meant it will be Upper Wharfedale going down with Olican-ian.

Majid Inayat passed 50 for the ninth time but could not prevent Silsden going down to defeat against Colton, who are confirmed as Division Three champions.

Tong Park Esholt also clinched promotion, with victory over nearest rivals Menston.

Gareth Lee (4-25) and John Storey (3-27) boosted Men-ston’s hopes when they res-tricted the visitors to 128 but the hosts could not cope with the accuracy of Nadeem Hanif (6-33) as Menston collapsed to 82 in 30.

2 overs.

Horsforth are still in danger of re-election after they were skittled out for 65 in reply to New Rover’s 183.

Mark Scaife took 5-33 as Hall Park tried to defend a meagre 98 but Daryl Robin-son (27no) saw Addingham home by three wickets.