Kirkstall out of hole after Gibson digs in

THREE teams snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat.

After three wins in a row, Kirkstall were staring at a first loss when Stuart Hudson (7-51) started to get among the wickets. Chasing 284-7 set by champions Beckwithshaw, Kirkstall managed to salvage a point thanks to No 10 Joe Gibson, who saw off 20 overs for an undefeated 54.

Burley were the other Division One side with a perfect start and they looked on course to continue that when half-centuries from Mark Harrison, Charlie Davy and Nick Brook helped them to 235-4 at Pool, who had lost their first three matches. But No 6 John Goldthorpe hit 74 not out to earn his side a point.

There was more resolute batting in Divison Two as Knaresborough were set 187-6 by Follifoot in which James Ford (50) and Mike Halmshaw (87no) top scored. Dale Bradley's 23-over spell produced nine maidens and figures of 7-26 as the visitors struggled to 43-7 but then Jonathan Tattersall (13no) and Graham Wiles (20no) took them slowly to 79-7 and a point.

Back in the top flight, Lee Gordon (74) and Usman Khawaja (63) helped North Leeds to 234-9 but it was not enough to thwart Green Lane, who got home with four wickets to spare mainly thanks to Joe Pleasance (61) and Ishtikar Hussain (78).

An 11-over spell of 5-9 from Alex Rose skittled Adel for 74 and despite the efforts of Tim Grey (6-32), Otley managed to clinch a three-wicket win.

Jamie Pickering followed up his previous week's 69 with another half-century but with Steve Booth (6-56) in good form, Rawdon felld for 147. Brian Leigh led the Collingham reply and was unbeaten on 55 when they rounded off a six-wicket win.

Newcomers Thackley picked up two points at Guiseley with 135-6 in reply to 168-7 of which Adam Waite hit 47.

In the battle of the Division Two pacemakers, Jeremy Batty scored 77 not out in Harden's 178-6 before Philip Leng (6-33) helped dismiss Bilton for 94.

Tong Park Esholt's Luke Waters (113) hit his third successive century but fellow Australian Grant McDonald (8-89) came out on top for Steeton, dismissing the home side 13 runs short of victory.

Dave Eggleton was the star as Upper Wharfedale took four points off Silsden, following up a knock of 68 with 8-47.