Ben Rhydding ended Otley’s hot run to climb to fourth in the Division One table at the halfway stage of the Aire-Wharfe League season, their highest-ever placing since joining the Aire-Wharfe League in 2000.

Having won back-to-back promotions, they only managed to hang on to their Division One status in the final match of last season, but recent weeks have seen them play like a side that is now comfortable in the top flight.

Although there was a stage against Otley when a fourth win in five starts looked doubtful.

Otley didn’t find batting easy, Josh Atkinson (39) their top scorer in a 141 total, but in-form James Davies seemed to have turned the game their way when he ripped out the first three Ben Rhydding batsmen with just 11 on the board.

However, Jason Wright came to the home side’s rescue with an unbeaten 68 and stands of 78 with Robbie Miller and 41 with Red Bolton saw Ben Rhydding home.

Otley’s defeat allowed Burley to climb back into second spot after David Brook (72) and Richard Brook (40no) starred in their 276-6.

Andrew Peel’s eight overs produced figures of 4-20 but Follifoot’s last pair managed to hang on and Burley had to settle for five points.

That leaves them 17 points behind Beckwithshaw, whose latest conquest Harden needed a fifth wicket, century stand between Roshan Livera (75) and Matthew Portlock (47) to get them to 186-9. That was never going to be enough against a side that has only dropped seven points all season.

Evergreen Dave Pennett took 4-22 as Pool were dismissed for 105 with Harrison Durkin scoring 58 as Guiseley cruised home by eight wickets to move into the top half of the table.

But Steeton couldn’t contain Kirkstall’s skipper Andy Siddall, who hit an unbeaten century and, with Calum Oliver (77), took his side past Steeton’s 198 total.

Ilkley pulled off the shock result of the day in Division Two when openers Jonathan Hughes (46) and Alex Bailey (57) set the platform for them to overtake leaders Knaresborough’s 193-7 target.

Rawdon seized the chance and moved to within three points of the leaders, Andrew Doidge (33no) and Anthony Gilks (36no) steering them past Bolton Villas 179.

Gareth Wilkinson’s rich vein of form continued and gave Tong Park Esholt a victory that dented Thackley’s promotion challenge and moved Park up to third.

Brett Kinsey (5-33) had restricted Thackley to 107 before Wilkinson followed up his 92no from the previous week with 77no in 52 balls.

Phil Atkinson’s half century was the highlight of Green Lane’s six wicket win over Adel.

Calverley continue to show a massive improvement in form but that first win still eludes them. Jamie Chapman (114) and Shabir Bashir (86) put on 172 in their side’s 276-5 but fellow strugglers Bardsey managed to hang on and restrict Calverley to four points, leaving them 14 off safety.

Richard Nichols (70no) and Gary Owens (36no) helped Division Three leaders Skipton recover from 17-3 to overtake Addingham’s 171 in which Ricky Palacio top scored with 45 and Faisal Hussain took 4-51.

That put them six points ahead of the next two, Illingworth who beat Hall Park by three wickets, and Upper Wharfedale who could only manage four points at Silsden thanks to last pair Jack Roberts and Alex Bradbury who batted out the last 15 overs to earn the draw.

A century partnership between Dean Harvey (73) and Kyle Smith (56) gave Menston a chance of overhauling New Rover’s 229-9 but they were still 21 short of victory at the close.

Horsforth’s promotion hopes were dealt a blow when their 161 was passed by Woodhouse’s last pair, while Olicanian became revitalised Alwoodley’s third successive victim despite telling contributions from Chris Wheeler (67), Jamie Hudson (48) and Ben Brearley (43no).