Aire-Wharfe Cricket: Steeton are blazing a trail that could lead to their first Division A championship while last season's top two, Adel and Rawdon, are trailing among the also-rans.

It is five years since Steeton suffered the indignity of relegation, but they bounced straight back as Division B champions with an impressive 112 points.

They made an immediate impact, finishing fourth in 1996, but they then slid to eighth in 1997 and ninth last year. Now their spectacular revival is the talk of the league and all-rounder Stuart Hudson is proving a lucky talisman.

Hudson was a member of Steeton's promotion winning side in 1995. This season he has returned from a spell at Bilton and is again proving a consistent all round performer.

Winning draws against Calverley on Saturday and Silsden on Monday have carried Steeton a formidable 12 points clear of nearest rivals Burley, with North Leeds and Knaresborough giving chase.

The Bank Holiday derby against Silsden was a thriller, with David Short proving a thorn in his old club's flesh.

He figured in an unbroken last wicket stand with Hugh Sugden as Silsden held on at 126 for nine in reply to the Steeton total of 204 for eight.

Short and Sugden defiantly batted out 13 overs, but Steeton took five points from the winning draw. Neil Spragg played his part with a useful 68.

Burley's run of five wins in league and cup came to an end at Guiseley who gained a winning draw.

Steve Thomson made 63 in the Guiseley innings of 170 against the tight bowling of Duncan Hurd who took five for 35.

Burley then clung on grimly at 152 for nine despite the keen attack of Andrew Paley (5-33) and Steve Dickinson (3-39).

Knaresborough were the only side in the two divisions to win both their Saturday and Monday fixtures as they climbed into fourth place in Division A.

They skittled Guiseley for 69 on Saturday, Mal Brittain doing the damage with 7-35, and were victorious by 119 runs. Then on Monday they defeated North Leeds by five wickets.

Last term a clash between Rawdon and Adel would have topped the bill, but Monday's encounter was a mid-table affair.

Rawdon got the better of a draw, totalling 194 for five and restricting Adel to 158 for seven in reply.

Bruce Percy made an undefeated 62 for Rawdon and he then took four for 56, Andy Sugars assisting with three for 61.

However, in their Saturday fixture, Rawdon lost by 113 runs at Hall Park where Barbados paceman Marshall Kendrick wrecked the visitors' innings by taking seven for 35.

Miles Corish (70) and Simon Taylor (7-43) carried Bilton to their first league win of the season at Beckwithshaw where they had 19 runs to spare.

After drawing with Steeton, Calverley defeated Hall Park by six wickets, opener Steve Alred batting throughout the Calverley innings for 48. Matthew Brooks made a valuable 41 in the successful reply to Hall Park's 144 for nine.

Skipton lead the way in Division B. They followed a home victory over Menston with a winning draw at Illingworth where Mark Whittaker fell two runs short of his half century as Skipton reached 171.

Mick Scott and Steve Young claimed three wickets apiece but Illingworth put up the shutters and had managed just 129 for eight by the close.

Follifoot are two points behind Skipton, while Green Lane are third and Addingham fourth.

Addingham spoiled Otley's mini revival with a 63 runs victory. Father and son Keith and Matthew Wilkinson registered scores in the forties as Addingham reached 188 for eight.

Otley were then dismissed for 125, Chris Campbell taking five for 14 in 7.3 overs.

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