KIRKSTALL Educational are heading Division B of the Airedale and Wharfedale League having opened a two point gap up over Burley and Rawdon who are pressing hard on 19 points.

Kirkstall had a vital win over Rawdon on Saturday making 208 for eight and then dismissing Craig Walsh's side for a mere 39.

A superb 107 from A Siddall put Kirkstall in the driving seat and when Neil Walmsley pitched in with a superb eight for 18 return off 7.1 overs Rawdon were in deep trouble.

Both openers Walsh and David Whittaker went without scoring and Rawdon slumped to 11 for five before Denis Rock managed to reach double figures with 13.

Burley are hoping for a return to Division A and they have shown some good form. Australian Ben Harris cracked 44 as they totalled 167 against Tong Park on Saturday. Veteran Ian Normington then took 3-14 off nine overs to follow up the exploits of Richard Harrison and Nick Brook in bagging three wickets apiece as Tong Park were put out for 102.

On Monday Burley faced the derby clash with Ilkley. Poor top order batting by Burley raised Ilkley's hopes for a victory but former Ilkley player Ian Frost with a gutsy unbeaten 56 and an unbeaten knock of 33 by captain Nick Brook took Burley to a respectable 184 for nine. This was despite some good bowling by Anthony Giles who finished with six for 66.

Early runs from Ilkley, who at one stage were 83 without loss, again gave rise to thoughts of an away win but a damaging spell from Ian Normington with three for six had Ilkley in turmoil and at the end were hanging on for only a point. Normington's figures were seven overs, four maidens, three wickets for six. As Ilkley held on at 112 for eight Anthony Cadman made 41 and Australian Simon Stolcman 41. This win maintained Burley's fine start to the season.

On Saturday Ilkley had drawn with Calverley who made 179 all out. Giles was again in form with the ball taking five for 59 to support his fellow opening bowler Richard Simpson who took four for 37 off 20.4 overs.

Cadman gave Ilkley a solid start with 29 and there was a half-century from Chris Quaife but the rest of the Ilkley batting left a lot to be desired and the innings petered out to 145-8.

Pool picked up six points on Saturday dismissing Silsden for 111 in reply to Pool's 151. A late order 45 from Mark McEneaney gave the Pool innings a boost and Phil Dibb then took five for 22 to ensure victory.

Harden's Stuart Hudson bowled well taking five for 27 off 22 splendid overs to restrict Bardsey to 101 all out. He was well supported by Andy Hart with three for 34 off 15 overs. Harden then knocked off the runs but not without a little trouble as Casey duPlooy took three for 40 and D Hartley (3-25).

Harden picked up two points on Monday at Silsden where the home side set a target of 146 for nine as Hudson again bowled well for three for 42 off 14 overs.

Tong Park bagged all six points against Thackley on Monday thanks to an excellent unbeaten 61 from overseas player Chandar Sheikar. He was well supported by Ian Gilks with 27.