IT was perhaps fitting that Bilton's Australian overseas player Stephen Phillips took top billing as the side was crowned Airedale and Whardedale League champions on Saturday.

He hammered a superb 71 as Bilton notched 265-6 against Otley and then took 3-21 as Otley fell for 115 in reply.

Phillips has played a major role in Bilton's success notching four centuries and seven half-centuries to truly prove his worth as the overseas player.

On Saturday he had assistance from Miles Corish with 58, Danny Shuffe with 55 and Mick Emmerson with 46 as a big total was built. Phillips and M Rassool (4-23) then put an end to Otley's hopes.

Menston went into the weekend's games as the only side left who would be able to catch Bilton but all that came to an end when Menston crashed to a 39 runs defeat at home to North Leeds.

Woeful fielding was blamed for the defeat as they dropped seven chances before finally dismissing North Leeds for 141.

Barry Singleton top scored with an unbeaten 43 while for Menston Michael Bredenkamp took 5-55 and their overseas player South African Grant Bell 3-17. Menston were then dismissed for 102 as Singleton claimed 4-26.

As a result of this game North Leeds move above Menston into second place.

Steeton are looking certainties for the other relegation spot alongside already relegated Collingham. They were hugely disappointed to just miss out on a win over Hall Park after the Horsforth side had posted a substantial 262-8.

Steeton finished on 260-7 going into the final over needing 11 runs to win.

Peter Kempton gave a timely reminder that he still has a major role to play for Park with a fine innings of 94 while Michael Elliott made 60. For Steeton there were half-centuries from Alex Gledhill and Alex Howarth.

Brian Smart's half-century helped Follifoot to claim a vital point from a losing draw at Adel where the home side hammered a mammoth 306-4 thanks to excellent contributions from John Francas (116) and Ian Jones (79). Follifoot replied with 165-6.

Chris Cay's 82 steered Green Lane to a good score of 255-9 but it was not enough to stop Beckwithshaw who knocked off the runs with seven wickets down thanks to Ben Quick's 62 and Stephen Walmsley's 54.

Guiseley were another side to rack up a big score with excellent contributions from Mark Ross (72), Graeme Wolfenden (66) and Ian Chaplin (50 no) taking them to 245-5. Collingham were then dismissed for 145 with young Chris Wain grabbing the honours with a 5-35 return.