Aire-Wharfe Cricket League: Just five years after winning the last of their six championships in nine years, Otley find themselves applying for re-election.

They managed to halt a three-match losing streak at Follifoot, but were still outplayed and could only take one point.

Leeward Islander Deighton Butler cracked 15 fours and three sixes in a season-best 118 as he and Phil Taylor (41) put on 132 for Follifoot's first wicket.

The final total of 269-8 was well beyond Otley's batting, but stern resistance from Chris Smith (35) and David Taylor, who finished unbeaten on 51, saw them to bat out their overs.

At the other end of Division B, Burley are only four points away from clinching promotion after having much the better of a draw at Ilkley. Aussie Duncan Hurd hit his second century of the season, 118 not out and, well supported by Andy Arundel (67), he led Burley to 231-3.

Ilkley were never in the chase despite a half century from Simon Lewis, but they still had three wickets to spare at the close. Ian Normington was the pick of the Burley bowling with 4-35.

Silsden managed to open a gap between second and third by taking five points off Illingworth, while Addingham did them a favour by beating Collingham.

Andrew Pullan led the way with a well constructed 84 and with Tim Sugden and John Akrigg each contributing 40, Silsden reached 222-5.

Andrew Emmott produced a superb 16 overs of medium pace which included 11 maidens in a 4-17 return and the ever reliable John Roberts weighed in with 2-17 off eight overs. But they were unable to winkle out the last batsmen and Illingworth finished on 102-7.

Craig Turner and Chris Campbell each took four wickets as Collingham were dismissed for 187. Openers Richard Simpson (80) and Darren Robinson (36) then provided a good foundation for Addingham to record their fourth win in six games.

Richard Taylor was the hero of Menston's third win of the season, taking the first seven wickets as Alwoodley crashed out for 109. Windsor Roberts (39) headed the chase as Menston polished off the runs with five wickets to spare.

The dog-fight to avoid joining Horsforth in relegation edged slightly towards Calverley, who took two points from a draw at Knaresborough while rivals Skipton went down at Beckwithshaw.

Mick Scott's five wicket haul put Skipton in with a chance, but a sparkling 48 off 44 balls by the last pair lifted Beckwithshaw to 148-9. Apart from Andy Roberts, who battled to a half century, Skipton's batsmen struggled against the bowling of John Pridmore (5-35), and they were still 23 runs short of their target when the last wicket fell.

Calverley found John Dodman in superb form and the Knaresborough No 3 hit 11 fours and a six in compiling 102 of their 219-4. For Calverley it was a question of just sticking it out and they reached the end with four wickets intact. A fighting 48 from Australian Dan Hopkinson earned them an invaluable extra point.

Half centuries from Hayden Tennant and Mark Hedges ensured Steeton had the better of their match against Guiseley and they should have done enough to keep themselves above the relegation zone.

The championship is still heading for a last day showdown between Rawdon and Adel. Both won again and are tied on 82 points, Adel just ahead by virtue of one extra win.

Rawdon's latest victory over bottom club Horsforth was not as convincing as they would have liked.

Set to chase a modest 155, they got home with only three wickets left.

Skipper Bruce Percy switched from run-maker to wicket taker with a 3-17 return off nine overs.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.