Otley’s sting in the tail helps widen the gap

Things were finely balanced with Otley on 118-5 but their 7, 8 and 9 batsmen – Andy Rhodes (41), James Wilcock (32) and Ricky Halloran (24no) – saw them to 238-9 which proved too much for Burley, for whom only Danny Bryan (52) got going.

Beckwithshaw arrived at Guiseley on the back of five straight wins but were halted when Chris Wain (6-13) skittled them for 91. Brian Jackson hit 64 not out off 47 balls to clinch the win.

Three of the bottom four won and none of the bottom six are out of danger with only 19 points between seventh and 12th.

Conor McInerney (6-17) dismissed Collingham for 70 to put Rawdon on the way to their fifth win of the season and send their opponents into the bottom two.

Charlie Swallow (53 & 4-52) was the hero as bottom club Ben Rhydding raised hopes of a great escape with a win at Bilton, while Sam Wilkinson’s 5-45 set up victory for Pool against Ilkley and saw them climb above the relegation spots.

Andrew Foulds (91), John Akrigg (70) and Jonathan Stander (52no) led the way as Steeton raced to 285-6, which proved too much for Kirkstall, despite the efforts of Andy Siddall (71) and Stephen Brown, who followed up a 5-34 spell with 41. Having had 20 points deducted, Kirkstall have been dragged into the bottom half.

Division Two leaders Follifoot fell just short of Adel’s 222-6 and second-placed North Leeds lost to Thackley when their last man was run out on the final ball chasing the three for victory.