Otley boosted their chances of returning to the Airedale & Wharfedale Cricket League Division A after an emophatic eight-wicket win at Ilkley.

The victory means they remain a point ahead of Kirkstall Education in the race for the second promotion spot behind title favourites Hall Park.

After dismissing Ilkley for just 97, Otley showed that the picth held no terrors for them as they cruised to their target with Jonty Maston making 52 and Robert Atkinson (37no).

Otley's prospects of clinching a promotion place are boosted by their run in.

Their remaining fixtures see them play Illingworth (home), Calverley (away), Pool (home) and Skipton (away).

Rivals Kirkstall play Pool (home), Skipton (away), Bardsey (home) and Silsden (away).

Ilkley's battle is a very different one. Their opes of avoiding relegation were dealt a body blow by the result

They are hovering just three points above the relegation zone on 38 points.

The pressure from beneath is building following Skipton's surprise 81-run win over over Silsden.

Ilkley desperately need points from their last four matches of which three are away from home

They have to visit Knaresborough, bottom team Illingworth and Pool while their only home fixture left is against Calverley.

Skipton, who currently occupy the second relegation spot seven points ahead of bottom team Illingworth, have a much tougher run in than Ilkley.

Their programme includes matches against the top three teams.

They have two home matches in their last four against promotion chasing Kirkstall and Otley.

They also have to make away trips to leaders Hall Park and Tong Park.

The toughness of that schedule should improve Ilkley's chances but they need to help themselves by not relying on their opoonents' results.

Leaders Hall Park bounced back from their Waddilove Cup final defeat by Guiseley to extend their unbeaten league record to 18 games.

They beat Pool by eight wickets with Australian star Michael Elliott leading the way with 80 as they passed Pool's score of 135.

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