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Silsden hoping history doesn't repeat itself
Aire-Wharfe Steeton won the only Aire-Wharfe match to beat the rain, overcoming Harden by six wickets, a result that will have Silsden wondering if lightning sometimes does strike twice.
A year ago, Silsden were in second place with just a few matches left when their match against Hall Park was rained off.
But third-placed Rawdon managed to play and win. Silsden lost two of their final four games and missed out on promotion.
Now they sit in second place once more, five points behind leaders Knaresborough, but with third-placed Steeton reducing the gap to just three points mainly thanks to some sparkling batting from South African Ian Page.
He hit 10 fours and a six in a superb 62 not out as Steeton raced past Harden's 110-5 in 20.5 overs.
It is hard not to feel some sympathy for Harden who as the only team to provide a playable pitch on the day, ended up as the sole Aire-Wharfe side without a point.
Despite a run that has seen them pick up 19 points from their previous four games, Harden remain locked with Olicanian and Bardsey in a group which is separated by only three points in the nail-biting battle to join what looks likely to be certain relegation for struggling New Rover.
Saturday's cancellations leave the top and bottom four clubs in Division One just five games to sort out the championship and relegation after a campaign in which no one side has dominated, nor looked completely doomed.
Kirkstall remain favourites to take the title because of their nine-point advantage over Guiseley who are one in front of Beckwithshaw and two ahead of Rawdon.
But while Kirkstall face both Beckwithshaw and Rawdon in the final three weeks of the season, Guiseley have five matches against sides in the bottom half of the table.
Stuart Hudson's Kirkstall side, who picked up the Waddilove Cup for the first time last weekend, have certainly hit form at the right time with three straight victories.
But Beckwithshaw, who finished third last season after leading the table with two matches to go, have also started to get in to the winning habit.
Just five points separate Pool in 12th spot and Burley in ninth in the struggle to avoid relegation, which will certainly hot up over the next five weeks as the sides take each other on as well as some of the clubs fighting it out at the other end of the table.
Collingham, who memorably clinched the title on the final day of last season, could now find themselves at the bottom of the pile at the same stage this time around.
They have the toughest run in, facing each of their three relegation rivals, plus championship hopefuls Kirkstall and Beckwithshaw.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
