Local Cricket: The tussle to avoid joining Horsforth in the drop to Aire-Wharfe Division B next season took a dramatic twist that leaves three clubs only a point apart.

Waddilove Cup finalists Steeton seemed to have escaped danger when they won two in a row at the beginning of August, but defeat by close rivals Calverley in a high-scoring match at Steeton, and victory for Skipton over North Leeds puts them back in danger.

Steeton's latest defeat, their second in three matches, came after they had scored 240-8, their best score of the season.

Russell Newton (60) and Hayden Tennant (92) put on 119 for the first wicket and with Matthew Pinniger (31) and Mark Hedges (33no) providing good back-up, spirits were high.

But Calverley came storming back with Australian Dan Hopkinson leading the way with 66. He was supported by skipper Andy Carroll (47) and Nayim Ashraf (43), with all-rounder Jonathan Holah (52no) sewing things up with five wickets and four overs left.

That left both sides on 43 points, three behind Hall Park, whose defeat by front runners Adel means they are not yet out of danger.

And Skipton moved on to 42 points with a priceless win over North Leeds, only their second victory of the season.

Mick Scott set up the triumph with his second five-wicket haul in successive weeks and Sean Atkinson headed the chase with 59 as Skipton got home with four wickets to spare.

A sparkling unbeaten 58 by wicket-keeper Mark Pearson steered Rawdon to a six-wicket win over fourth placed Beckwithshaw and keeps them level on points at the top with Adel with just two games to go.

After a 5-56 spell by Robert Atkinson helped bowl Beckwithshaw out for 187, golf professional Pearson polished off the runs in cavalier fashion with ten fours and two sixes.

The tension also rose in the promotion race with third placed Collingham beating leaders Burley and second placed Silsden going down to Ilkley.

Burley are still top on 84 points, six ahead of Silsden who are now just two in front of Collingham.

Collingham's Aussie Lance Elkes hit seven fours and two sixes in his 83 not out, scored in just 99 balls and then took 4-44 as Burley collapsed to 112, still 76 short of their target.

Andew Pullan (41) was top scorer for Silsden but, despite some steady bowling from Mark Akrigg, their 159-6 was not a big enough total to defend.

Richard Wyn-Griffith fell just two short of his half century before player-coach Graham Roope (48no) and Chris Henry (21no) guided Ilkley to a four wicket win.

Charlie Martin hit an undefeated 63 and took 4-54 for Otley, but couldn't prevent Menston notching their second win in a row in the last over.

A top score of 77 from Steve May and a season best 5-41 from Chris Campbell ensured a seven-wicket win for Addingham at Alwoodley.

Horsforth's Gareth Proctor (6-94) and Neil Allitt (4-49) dismissed Guiseley for 158, but they were still on the losing side, despite a recovery from 35-5 when No 7 batsman Pete Smith weighed in with a gutsy 67.

Andrew Paley's 5-39 ensuring they were bowled out eight runs short of their target.

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