AT THE midway point of Saturday’s games, the race for the Aire-Wharfe League Division One title seemed on a knife edge.

Leaders Beckwithshaw had been bowled out by Bilton for just 116, while second-placed Burley had posted 276 at Ilkley and declared to give themselves an extra three overs to get maximum points.

By the end of play, it looked very different, however.

Beckwithshaw dismissed Bilton for 80 and Ilkley clinched a four-wicket win in the first of those extra overs.

Ed Brown (101) impressed for Burley, while there were also half-centuries for Nick Brook (54) and Jason Wright (51).

But Alex Bailey (90) and Alex Bell (57) gave Ilkley a solid start, with Jibrael Malik (50no) and skipper Nick Cockcroft (18no) completing the win, despite Brook (3-56) making headway.

With five games to go, Burley sit 29 points behind Beckwithshaw, while Otley jumped into second place after dismissing Pool for 65, thanks to James Davies (6-26) and Chris Thompson (4-39), before taking just 7.5 overs to wrap up the win.

Elsewhere, Michael Truswell hit 104 to help Guiseley beat Rawdon, Chris Wain also playing his part with 7-52.

Meanwhile, Ben Heritage (71no) and Corey Barsby, whose 61 took him to the top of Division One run chart with 573, starred as Horsforth passed Colton’s 193-6 with eight wickets in hand.

Ben Rhydding’s hopes of promotion from Division Two received a double boost - an easy win at Thackley coupled with nearest challengers Follifoot crashing to defeat at leaders Adel.

Rob Withers (7-53) and Henry Barrow (3-17) bowled out Thackley for 72, with Forrest Hamilton (30no) clinching the win that puts Ben Rhydding 29 points clear of Follifoot, and Thackley another step closer to seeming inevitable relegation.

Who will fill the second drop spot is far from clear after Skipton, currently 11th, beat Addingham, the team one place above them.

Iqbal Khan was Skipton's hero, defying Robert Ellis (6-39) to top score with 42 in his side’s 145 before picking up 8-36 as Addingham crashed out for 81.

Addingham now only have a 13-point cushion and Leeds Modernians are just one point better off after Hall Park inflicted their ninth defeat of the season.

James Carlill took 5-26, taking his tally for the season to 40, as Modernians were dismissed for 121. Tom Woodley (54) and Robbie Salerni (30no) eased Park home.

Bowlers were also on top at Tong Park Esholt, where Joe Stead and Paul Hardwick each picked up three wickets in the home side’s 159.

But Steeton found batting no easier, with Mohammed Nadim (4-38) and Mahir Ali (3-33) dismissing them for 134, despite a battling 44 from David Robinson.

Nav Panesar (39) and Christopher Coates (4-49) were the main contributors as Calverley beat Kirkstall by 48 runs.

Amjid Hussain hit four sixes in making 34 not out and, with Adeel Ashraf (23no), steered Saltaire past Bolton Villas’ 119 and a step closer to promotion from Division Three at the first attempt.

Joe Clayton (40) top-scored for Villas and Sam Lawrence (4-53) tried to spoil the visitors’ party but couldn’t halt Hussain’s charge.

Olicanian strengthened their second place, Tom Watson (44no) clinching a seven-wicket win over Menston, who were dismissed for 133, with Harry Smallwood taking 4-35.

With Bardsey’s match against New Rover washed out, Green Lane moved up to third after Azhar Mahmood (3-21) helped restrict Harden to 142 in reply to Lane’s 158-9.