Skipton gave their hopes of survival in Division B of the Airedale & Wharfedale League a welcome boost with a last-over, 23-run win at home to Pool.

The success was only their second since May, the key being a useful all-round display in which Martin Windle's 5-54 haul was the most telling contribution.

Openers Geoff Fryers and Steve Carling put on 65 for the first wicket to give their effort a steady, but positive, start.

Carling emerged as top scorer with 40, the Skipton total being given a significant boost with the 'extras' column showing 30. Fryers finished with 29 and Robert Walker added 24 as the home side made their way to 180-7 at the close, a tally which took on a more substantial look when both Pool openers fell with only six runs on the board.

Thanks to some good work from No 3 Henry, who made 91 after benefitting from being missed more than once, Pool looked to have put themselves back in the driving seat at 143-4, but when Windle bowled Henry to break a partnership of 86 with Wood, Skipton seized their chance to dismiss the visitors for 157, although the game was in the final over when victory was claimed .

Neighbours Silsden did Skipton a favour by getting the better of fellow strugglers Illingworth by 44 runs at Keighley Road.

Lee Bilbrough, with 39, was the key figure when Silsden batted first and reached a modest 127 in their overs. That total proved to be more than enough when the Halifax side batted, Mark Akrigg's 6-44 return leading the home side to victory.

Steeton must have felt that they had made themselves immune from the possibility of failure when Neil Spragg's 126 provided the backbone of their 286-9 tally at home to Collingham. The Wetherby side, however, were undaunted by the size of the challenge and with Tom Kilby (91) and Matt Cooke (69) picking up the gauntlet, the visitors got home with a healthy four wickets in hand.

Both Upper Wharfedale and visitors Horsforth must have felt they were heading for defeat mid-way through their respective innings at Wood Lane.

At 79-6, the home side would probably have settled for the four points they ultimately acquired, good work by Casper Bean (33no) and Jon Slater (20) helping them to post a respectable 174-9 after Paul Drinkall (47) had held the early innings together.

The Dalesmen must have been thinking of another win when they reduced Horsforth to 86-7, but the Leeds side also found some stiffer resistance lower down the order and held on for two points when they finished at 140-8.