Kirkstall damage Bilton’s title hopes

In good form after two wins in a row, Kirkstall continued to dominate despite the bowling of David Jacobs (5-53) and with Joe Gibson (77) and Paul Malone (70no) leading the way set a target of 203-7.

Captain Jos Siddall then picked up five wickets but they ran out of overs with Bilton on 111-8 and had to settle for five points.

But Bilton’s slip allowed Thackley to open up a 10-point lead after their victory over Collingham. The deadly home attack of Mahir Ali (6-43) and Nasser Jamal (4-50) skittled out Collingham for 93. Thackley looked in trouble when they slipped to 35-5 but Rishad Jain (34no) and Ali (30no) rallied and clinched the win.

Third-placed Otley were another side to take advantage of Bilton’s disappointment, moving to within a point of them with a win over Follifoot, Graham Wolfenden (51no) and Stewart Smith (32no) steering them past the visitors’ 91-9.

Phil Atkinson (78) top-scored in Green Lane’s 163-5 but a defiant, unbeaten half-century from Mark Johnson helped second-from-bottom Adel pick up two points.

Nick Brook’s second seven-wicket haul of the season helped bowl out Guiseley for 152 with Dean Russ scoring 62. But Burley’s batting couldn’t match their bowling and with Chris Wain (5-33) taking his tally to 18 in the last four games, Guiseley picked up five points.

Rock-bottom Rawdon looked in with a chance of their second win when they bowled out Beckwithshaw for 125, but Stewart Hudson (3-54) and James Lilley (4-43) restricted them to 103-8.

Division Two leaders Steeton were given a fright by bottom club Tong Park Esholt, but came away with four points. Mick Scott took 5-43 as the leaders were restricted to 103-7 and Park needed 14 off the final over to win, but could only manage nine and the draw.

Knaresborough moved second by taking four points at Menston, Graham Whiles (4-17) and Greg How (3-42) restricting the home side to 106-7 in reply to Knaresborough’s 131-8.