OTLEY sent a ‘don’t write us off’ message to front-runners Beckwithshaw and Burley with a crushing defeat of Guiseley in Aire-Wharfe League Division One.

Chris Thompson produced a devastating 8.4-over spell of 5-18 and, with James Davies (3-36), sent Guiseley crashing for 87.

Otley didn’t find batting comfortable – they were quickly 37-4 – but Ben Morley (20no) and Matt O’Grady, who included seven fours in his 35 not out, saw them home.

Otley are still 35 points adrift of Beckwithshaw going into the second half of the season, so the odds are stacked against them, but Burley are definitely a contender after another batting bonanza against Colton.

Burley’s powerful batting line-up - they have picked up 11 more bonus points than any of their rivals - moved into gear again.

Nicky Bulcock (63), Jason Wright (55), Red Bolton (47), Nick Brook (40) and Sam Fox (30no) lifted them to 313-7 – the second time they’ve passed the 300 mark in three matches.

Struggling Colton put up a brave response, but with Nick Brook picking up his second five-wicket haul of the season, they were dismissed for 217, a victory that edged Burley to within four points of Beckwithshaw, who won a low-scoring clash with North Leeds.

Rawdon moved up to fourth after Bradley Reeve took 5-25 as Collingham were bowled out for 92 in reply to the home side’s 210, of which Andrew Duckworth made 64.

Charlie Swallow (6-25), Alex Myers (3-55) and Corey Barsby, with 1-0 in five balls, skittled out Bilton for 80.

Horsforth also found batting tricky but opener Ben Heritage (28no) saw them home by three wickets.

Pool crashed to a third successive defeat, with Ilkley beating them beaten by eight wickets.

Charlie Best (72) and Ryan Sharrocks (49) were the only batsmen to find an answer to Henry Wilson (4-50), Paul Dover (3-36) and Nick Cockcroft (3-28) before Rory Kroon (51) and Jibrael Malik (49no) eased Ilkley past the 176 target.

Ben Rhydding quickly got their Division Two promotion challenge back on track with a comfortable win over Steeton after Lewis Bolton (100no) and Struan Connor (97) top scored in their 261-8.

John Akrigg responded with 75 but with Alex Miller taking 5-52, Steeton were dismissed for 180.

Ben Rhydding still trail Adel by 21 points after the leaders bowled out Tong Park Esholt for 92 in reply to their own modest 126.

At the other end of the table, Hall Park and Addingham notched victories that threaten to cut Thackley and Skipton adrift in the bottom two.

Jonathan Postle (5-21) and Mark McEneaney (4-10) skittled out Skipton for 66 to set up Park’s six-wicket win.

Addingham needed a seventh-wicket stand of 83 between Ted Haggas (59) and Richard Hey (48) to set a target of 182 and, even though Umar Farooq (65) put up plenty of resistance, Thackley were bowled out for 126, with Haggas taking 3-2.

Olicanian go into the second half of a highly competitive Division Three campaign at the top of the pile after a 108-run win at Bolton Villas.

Tom Smallwood (101), Dave Healey (41) and John Johnson (47) led the way as Olicanian reached 286-7, and even though Tony Jones responded with 61, he couldn’t find enough partners to threaten the visiting attack, in which Sajjad Ijaz took 4-57.

Harden missed the chance to move into the top two, St Chads Broomfield easing past their 102 total with four wickets in hand, despite the efforts of Paul Quinlan (4-27).

Menston lost two quick wickets when they set off after Green Lane’s 147 target but Phil Raikes (50no) and Amer Ayoub (42no) clinched the win.