Adel pull off great escape as Pool drop

Tim Grey and Mark Shires were the heroes of a final-day escape as Adel

pulled off one of the shock wins of the season and climbed out of the relegation spots for the first time since early June.

That left the match between Rawdon and Pool to decide who would join North Leeds in Division Two next season.

Pool had been out of the bottom two since May 8 but they were quickly under pressure when Stewart Smith (137) and Jamie Pickering (69no) put on 137 as Rawdon made 249-3. Stuart Dobson (4-37) and Andrew Doidge (3-44) ensured Pool never looked likely to get home and their single point was not nearly enough.

Taking on runners-up Beckwithshaw, it looked all up for Adel when the slumped to 69-6 but Grey (27) rallied the resistance and despite the efforts of James Lilley (6-36) and Ben Quick (3-36), they made 131-9.

Quick (50) led Beckwithshaw's reply but Grey (3-40) and Mark Shires (5-61) bowled them out for 101.

The main focus in Division Two was on who would fill the second relegation spot with Silsden. When David Girling (5-58) restricted Upper Wharfedale to 134-8 despite an unbeaten stand of 62 from Steve Pearson (36no) and Josh Gill (26no), it looked as though Knaresborough would ease to safety.

They started well but hit a sticky patch after Jonathan Tattersall was run out for 30 and were glad to hang on for the two points they needed to survive.

Grant McDonald hit a half-century in Steeton's 179-6 and Calverley were struggling in reply. Imran Mirza (44) steadied them but it took a defiant 32 not out from Zarshad Khan to ensure they clung on with just one wicket to spare to pick up two points.

That left Illingworth needing a win to survive and a half-century from Nial Lockley helped them to 153-8. Luke Brooksby (6-31) reduced Tong Park Esholt to within a wicket of defeat but that was not enough to save the home side.

Elsewhere Shane Etherington and Jason Wright each took five wickets for champions Burley but they still crashed to defeat by third placed Green Lane.

Mike Halmshaw (40no) clinched Follifoot's win over Olicanian with a six to ensure they took the Second Division title.