ADRIAN EMMOTT produced a stunning bowling performance to as Silsden kept their hopes of promotion alive.

He took 7 for 46 off 21 overs, including six maidens as Alwoodly were restricted to 132-9, despite a quick 43 from Australian Barry McCormick.

The Aussie's powerful performance was brought to an abrupt halt when Andrew Knowles held a superb catch off the bowling of Andrew Pullen. Ian Taylor was the only other Alwoodly batsman to get into double figures with an unbeaten 47 after being dropped in the slips early in his innings.

Andrew Waggett produced another excellent fielding performance, picking up another two league fielding points, taking his total to six this season.

Silsden's batters struggled to 100-6 after some agressive bowling from McCormick and a tight spell from spinner Phil Mercer.

Opener David Jackson was caught abnd bowled for 19 after looking most comfortable against McCormick. Tim Sugden and Andrew Pullen finished the Cobbydalers' innings, scraping two points with Sugden unbeaten on 25, to keep Silsden's chances of promotion alive.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat Silsden 2nds were given a great start as openers Stuart Tillotson and David Bainbridge defied a wet wicket.

They put on 89 in 23 overs before Bainbridge was dismissed five runs short of his half-century. Tillotson was out in the next over, bringing two new men at the crease.

Crooks soon followed and so did Dave Wall after a quick-fire 17.

The shutter of wickets left captain David Akeroyd and Ian Pullen at the crease as the last two recognised batsmen. Akeroyd was well into his stride after hitting spinner Atkinson for six, when a powerful drive from Pullen was deflected by the bowler onto the stumps.

Tatterton and Pullen then saw the score up to 180 with seven overs remaining, but another collpase brought the innings to an early close, although Silsden were not unhappy with their 201 total.

Hall Park's reply started promisingly until Atkinson was caught in the gully for 39, which left Hester and Allan feeling they had to settle for a draw with 33 overs to go!

Steton 2nds could find no answer to the bowling of Hatchard as Alwoodley snatched a 52-run victory.

Dave Watson scored a very useful half century for the visitors as Robinson collected six wickets.

Alwoodley's 117 was well within reach of the Steeton side, but openers Dave Robinson and Andy Benson fell cheaply. After a brief revival by Neil Wilson and Atkinson the late order men crumbled to 65 all out.

While Silsden are in the thick of the promotion battle to climb into the top division, neighbours Steeton are desperately fighting to stave off relegation.

They gave their survival hopes a boost by beating Hall Park by three wickets. Skipper Andrew Smith (45 not out) and vice-captain Neil Spragg (50) led the batting display with Chris Taylor and Gary Boulton taking three wickets each.

It was Steeton first league win since May.

However, things have been going their way in the Waddilove Cup, and on Sunday they play Knaresborough in the final at Bilton CC.

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