STEETON opened up the Aire-Wharfe League Division Two promotion race by inflicting only the second defeat of the season on leaders Adel.

Set to chase 226-7, Steeton were given the perfect start with a 126-run opening partnership between John Akrigg (74) and Freddie Pearson (48).

There were a few anxious moments when four wickets fell quickly but Tom Stead (24no) and Craig Walton, who included 11 fours in a quick-fire 62no, saw Steeton home.

That win allowed Ben Rhydding to move to within nine points of the leaders with a comfortable victory against struggling Skipton.

Ben Holderness and James Mukherjee each picked up four wickets but Shane Wineti’s third century of the season helped Ben Rhydding to set a 204-run target. Even though Skipton’s tailenders put up a spirited fight, Rob Withers (4-31) and Alex Miller (3-43) ensured they fell 61 runs short.

Calverley did Ben Rhydding a favour by beating promotion hopefuls Follifoot, Ally Long (56no) and Ben Waller (34no) taking them past the home side’s 140 total.

Paul Naylor (51) and Umar Farooq (62) led the way as bottom club Thackley posted 219-7, their best score of the season. Mick Scott picked up 4-29.

But Tong Park Esholt eased to a six-wicket win thanks to Subhaan Amar (53), Fawad Maqsood (42), Nick Flood (37no) and Muhammad Khan (38no).

Tom Woodley hit a fine 86 for Hall Park but Kirkstall had given them too great a task with their 303-8, and Park went down by 61 runs.

That leaves them too close to the drop zone for comfort, as are Addingham who could only muster 50 runs in reply to Leeds Modernians’ 168 in which Ted Haggas took 4-31 and Jack DeAth 3-31.

Beckwithshaw continued their domination of Division One with a 155-run win over Collingham and with third-placed Otley beating second-placed Burley by six wickets, the leaders are now 22 points clear.

Only Red Bolton (39) showed glimpses of the batting form that has made Burley so formidable this season, and they crashed out for 124 with James Davies (3-40) and Chris Thompson (4-41) doing most of the damage. Otley took just 28 overs to clinch the win.

Charlie Bell (66) and Ryan Sharrocks – who followed up a four-wicket haul with 39 – got Pool back on the winning path, passing Rawdon’s 168 with five wickets in hand

There was considerable tension at Ilkley where Corey Barsby (58) and Oliver Hardaker (49) put on 110 as Horsforth reached 201-9, Henry Wilson taking 4-51.

Jonathan Hughes (65) and Rob Wheeler (55) put Ilkley within touching distance but they tantalisingly fell four short of victory at the close.

Guiseley’s up and down season continued with defeat by relegation-threatened North Leeds. Michael Truswell hit 60 but Guiseley’s 157 total was passed with three wickets to spare.

Olicanian went ten points clear at the top of Division Three with a 116-run win over Harden.

Tom Watson (45), Dave Healey (87), Harry Smallwood (64) and his brother Tom (36no) saw Olicanian to 268-4 and, despite the efforts of Paul Quinlan (48) and James Roper (46), Chris Meehan (4-36) and Sajjad Ijaz (3-39) ensured a home win.

Bilal Hamid (56no) and Hama Ul Hussain (5-47) starred as Saltaire beat Menston by six wickets to go up to second in the table.

Waleed Akhtar included 16 fours in his unbeaten 110 and put on 86 with Simon Watson (41) as Green Lane recovered from 102-5 to pass Alwoodley’s 210-6 target.