RAWDON have opened up a narrow window for Burley and Otley to make a late dash for the Aire-Wharfe League title by beating leaders Beckwithshaw.

It was only the Harrogate side’s second defeat of the season but, perhaps significantly, both have come in the last four matches after a seemingly unstoppable run of victories.

Henry Scanlan (46) gave Rawdon a solid start, and all-rounder Marcus Berryman took it on with a season's-best 87 to take him past 400 for the campaign.

Patrick Dyer weighed in with 35 not out but there were some doubts that 247-8 would be enough to stop the prolific leaders, especially when opener Alex Lilley hit 49.

However, Rawdon’s bowlers managed to peg them back, Andrew Doidge (3-74) and James Harding (4-44) preventing any major partnerships, and Beckwithshaw were finally bowled out for 216.

Following a couple of recent slip-ups, it was vital Burley took advantage of their rival’s defeat when they tackled in-form Horsforth.

A 4-26 spell from Dan Revis restricted the visitors to 186, with Corey Barsby making 52, before Nicky Bulcock (105no) and Jason Wright (28no) saw Burley over the line and to within 22 points of the leaders.

Otley are four points further back after beating Collingham in a tight, low-scoring affair.

Chris Thompson (4-18) led the way as Otley bowled out the visitors for 124, but they were then reduced to 14-4, and it took a solid 29 from Matt O’Grady and a final unbeaten stand of 30 between David Hester (39no) and Paul Nicholson (10no) to get them home by two wickets.

Henry Wilson (4-35) and Nick Cockcroft (3-34) were instrumental in bowling out Guiseley for 131 and, even though Richard Nichols picked up 5-64, he couldn’t stop Max Gaskell (34no) clinching victory for Ilkley.

Will Cooper and Sam Wilkinson each made 27 in Pool’s 138 before Wilkinson (4-17) and Oliver Boggie (3-16) bowled out bottom-of-the- pack Colton for 122.

Hall Park's Chris Brown (30no) and Tom Lester (67no) clinched a nine-wicket win that takes Thackley another step towards what looks like inevitable relegation from Division Two.

Skipton’s hopes of staying up also suffered a setback.

Their 168-5 was overtaken by Calverley with one wicket in hand, mainly thanks to Liam Johnston (41) and Alex West (45).

Meanwhile, Addingham eased 24 points clear of Skipton with victory at Steeton.

A late flourish from James Emmott (35no) helped Steeton set a target of 206 but Addingham’s middle order, led by Ted Haggas (72), helped them claim the points.

With leaders Adel winning again, it was important for Ben Rhydding to keep them in sight, as well as keeping ahead of Follifoot, winners over Leeds Modernians.

They just managed to do that but it was a close-run thing.

Forrest Hamilton (29), Henry Barrow (37) and a vital unbeaten 14 from Alex Miller helped Ben Rhydding to 130 against the accuracy of Mahir Ali (4-23).

Fawad Maqsood (26) and Muhammad Khan (19) led the response, and Gareth Wilkinson (19no) looked as though he might secure the win but Barrow (3-26) and Shane Wineti (4-40) kept chipping away, and Miller picked up the last two wickets to earn a four-run win.

With the Division Three top two, Saltaire and Olicanian, sitting out this week, it was a chance for the chasing pack to make up ground, but only Bardsey managed to make a significant move with a win at Alwoodley.

Harden came up against a revitalised New Rover, who set them to chase 239.

Opener Tom Cummins hit 58 but found little support against the bowling of Junaid Jamshed (7-17), and Harden collapsed to 110.

With Chris Spivey taking 3-32 and Azhar Mahmood 5-22, Green Lane looked set for an easy afternoon overhauling Bolton Villas’ 80, but Sam Lawrence (7-42) also found the wicket to his liking and inspired a ten-run win for the visitors.

David Heslop took 4-47 as St Chad’s Broomfield were dismissed for 171, but even with Doug Bradley making 76 and a later flurry from the tail- enders, including 24 from Heslop, Menston still went down by 16 runs.