Gareth Wilkinson, Danny Groom and the evergreen Mick Scott starred as Tong Park Esholt overcame Ilkley to take over their Aire-Wharfe League rivals’ spot in the Division Two promotion places.

The trio have been influential as Park recovered from relegation to the bottom tier in 2011 to bounce straight back last season and are now among the favourites to win promotion again.

The match against Ilkley was always going to be a crunch meeting for both sides. Both had won four of their last six and were separated by a single point.

Scott had the first say, picking up 4-44 – including three in one over – as Ilkley struggled to 68-6 but Nick Cockroft (61) crafted important partnerships with James Pearson (41) and Andy Wheeler (40no) that took their side to 219-8.

Park’s reply was led by Groom (79) in a 133 stand with Wilkinson, who blasted nine fours and six sixes in his 83 not out off 46 balls.

Sam Kirkley, their latest big-hitter, then came to the wicket with seven needed to win and promptly smashed the first two balls for a six and a four.

Park are two points behind leaders Rawdon, who comfortably beat bottom club Calverley.

James Milligan (78) and Andrew Doidge (42) led the way in their 252-9 before Josh Hobson (4-48) and Stuart Ward (3-44) dismissed the visitors for 157, with number eight Scott Driscoll (51no) showing most resistance.

Thackley’s hopes of an instant return to the top flight took a knock when they were only able to take four points at Bolton Villas.

Bradley Goodaire (68) and Mahir Ali (50) top-scored in their 192-9 (Sam Lawrence 5-41). Steve Shuttleworth (67) and Luke Stockhill (43) made sure Villas held on for the draw.

Ian Hawkridge hit 53 in Green Lane’s 160 but it was not enough to prevent Knaresborough winning by five wickets and climbing to third in the table.

Burley dropped two more points in their draw with Steeton and now trail runaway Division One leaders Beckwithshaw by 21 points.

Richard Brook (73) led Burley to 210-8 but, despite the efforts of Shane Etherington (4-49), Steeton were on 199-7 at the close with Andy Luxton unbeaten on 53.

Guiseley’s good form continued, Tallan Wright (49) and Bradley Reeve (49no) leading the way in their 193-8 after which Dave Pennett (5-31) had helped dismiss Otley for 150 (James Davies 50).

Jason Wright (70no), Lewis Bolton (66) and Chris Wynd (59) starred in Ben Rhydding’s season-best 310-9 but Kirkstall forced the draw with 282-8.

Harden were dismissed for 109 and slipped to the bottom of the table after losing for a second time this season to relegation-threatened rivals Follifoot (274-5).

Bottom versus top in Division Three turned out to be a surprisingly high-scoring match, with Skipton emerging as victors to stay on course for promotion.

A superb 122 by Majid Inayat helped Silsden to 268-5 but Skipton recovered from 45-3 to win by three wickets thanks to Arshad Latif (91) and Graham Summersgill (87).

Horsforth remain in the mix in third place, just behind Upper Wharfedale, after a ten-wicket win at Alwoodley (110) in which Jake Keyworth (72no) and Dylan Budge (5-9) starred.

There were some startling bowling figures at Woodhouse, where the home side were skittled for 55 in a comfortable win for Menston. Sam Brydon (3-17), Mohsin Iqbal (3-2) and Gareth Lee, who took four wickets without conceding a run, sliced through a line-up that had hit 283 only seven days before.

For the second week running, Johnny Johnson of Addingham (281) hit a century only to end up on the losing side, this time at the hands of Illingworth (285-8).

William Pearson picked up five wickets as Hall Park reached 228 (Steve Phillips 73, Aaron Chapman 56). With James Carlill taking 4-40, Olicanian were restricted to two points on 187-7 (Neil Benbow 68).