SALTAIRE won Division One of the Aire-Wharfe League in 2021, but just over 18 months on, they are struggling with a new-look side.

A third defeat in their first four games has left them just seven points clear of the drop zone, with Saturday’s reverse the most alarming of the lot.

Opponents Horsforth Hall Park only had nine points heading into the weekend, but more than tripled that total after taking a maximum 20 against their Bradford visitors.

Mustahsan Ali Shah took four wickets for Saltaire but also went for 88 runs in his 11 overs, yet he was not the only bowler to suffer.

The away side suffered an onslaught as Hall Park’s No.4, Michael Loubser, blasted an extraordinary 240 from just 94 balls, hitting 24 sixes in his incredible innings.

Saltaire, chasing a near-impossible 318 to win, were reduced to 18-4 in their reply, before a defiant 57 from Muhammad Khurshid and a quickfire 34 from No.10 Adbi-Hasan Ahmed gave them a level of respectability at 163 all out.

Mid-table Tong Park Esholt started well against Rawdon, opener Riley Vernon making 48.

But they collapsed from 102-2 to finish on 140 all out.

Despite an early wobble from Rawdon, who slipped to 27-3, they recovered well to win by six wickets.

Both Bradford sides enjoyed big wins in the Waddilove Cup the following day however.

Tong Park thumped visiting Burley-in-Wharfedale by eight wickets, Will Rhodes taking 3-22 as the away side were bowled out for 136, before home captain Dave Hester struck 85 not out in the successful reply.

Ali Shah took another four wickets for Saltaire, his 4-21 backed up by 3-11 from skipper Sajad Ali, as opponents Calverley St Wilfrids were skittled for 90.

Arsaam Malik (40) and Jibrael Malik (32no) completed an easy chase, as Saltaire won by eight wickets too.

New Division Two side Bolton Villas enjoyed their Waddilove Cup Sunday, as they racked up 336-6 at Shadwell, Imran Patel (87) and Siraj Hussain (60) both making half-centuries in rapid time.

Nine-man Shadwell had no chance of chasing that down, and were bowled out for 70, Minaj Patel taking 4-27.

Steeton are also through, thumping Olicanian by nine wickets, but Harden bowed out with a three-wicket defeat to Ilkley.

League new boys Bingley Congs also lost in the first round, as despite poor Harry Treloar taking 3-30 and then scoring 70 with the bat, his side lost a thriller by one run to Alwoodley.

Thackley also will not be making it into round two, conceding their tie with Otley.

Thackley did not enjoy their Saturday either, losing by one wicket to Harden in a thrilling Division Three encounter.

In Division Two, Adel beat Villas by 41 runs, while Ilkley defeated Steeton by 25 runs.

Finally, in Division Four, Congs beat Adel’s seconds convincingly.

Adel were dismissed for 141, with Alex Bradbury dismantling the tail in taking 5-36.

Congs then went on to coast home by seven wickets, George Hicks (59) and Bradbury (49) laying the platform with an opening partnership of 93.