Aire-Wharfe: Tensions rise as title races go down to the wire

Beckwithshaw all but ended Burley’s hopes for the crown after they won comfortably by nine wickets.

Burley were put into bat first and apart from Sami Rehman who scored 53, it was a disappointing innings as they were skittled out for just 142 with James Lilley taking 4-21.

In reply, the league leaders completed a professional performance by losing just one wicket on their way to meeting the 144 target.

Waddilove Cup winners Otley look to be Beckwithshaw’s only rivals for the title now after they also comfortably scored a home victory over fourth-placed Horsforth.

Otley won by nine wickets with Ben Morley top-scoring with 94 not out for the home side, the result means that Otley remain two points adrift of leaders Beckwithshaw with Burley now 31 points off the pace.

Elsewhere in Division One, bottom side Kirkstall Educational pulled off an unexpected four-wicket victory over North Leeds.

Kirkstall chased down Leeds’ 218 with Joe Gibson top-scoring on 89. The result means that Kirkstall leapfrog Steeton but are still 30 points from safety with just four games to go.

Steeton’s task for safety is even more unlikely after they lost to an in-form Pool side who have well and truly put early-season troubles behind them.

Pool won by three wickets to condemn Steeton to a likely relegation alongside Kirkstall. The other fixture in Division One saw Ilkley beat Bilton by five wickets in a low-scoring affair.

Division Two saw only two games played to completion.

Top two Colton Institute and Guiseley were not in action but with four games of the season to go they look assured of promotion with third-placed Knaresborough 37 points behind second placed Guiseley.

In the two fixtures that did take place, Follifoot edged past Addingham by two wickets, a result which sees them rise tofourth in the table.

Elsewhere, Adel comfortably beat Harden by seven wickets.

Sitting bottom, Harden are now 34 points from safety with Illingworth occupying the other relegation slot.

Division Three looks set to have an exciting end to the season with four teams currently competing for promotion.

With two slots available, Leeds Modernians and Horsforth Hall Park currently sit in first and second with Waddilove Cup finalists Tong Park Esholt third and Green Lane fourth. Horsforth and Tong Park had disappointing results at the weekend with them both losing and not taking advantage of Leeds’ and Geeen Lane’s fixtures both being abandoned.

With just four games to go in the league season it promises to be an exciting conclusion to all three divisions.

This weekend, Division One leaders Beckwithshaw host fourth-placed Horsforth, while Otley take on second-bottom Kirkstall Educational. There’s also a top two fixture in Division Three as Leeds Modernians host Horsforth Hall Park.