TONG Park Esholt pulled away from the Aire-Wharfe League Division One drop zone slightly on Saturday with a key 73-run win over relegation rivals Rawdon.

Visting Esholt batted first, and thanks to captain Dave Hester’s 64, along with an unbeaten 57 from George Hammond, they posted a defendable 210 all out.

And defend it they did, Shahid Mehmood and Usman Manir claiming three wickets apiece to help roll the hosts out for just 137.

Saltaire may be fourth, but in an incredibly tight top-flight from that spot downwards, they are not clear of relegation just yet.

They suffered a disappointing two-wicket home defeat to lowly Horsforth Hall Park at Roberts Park on Saturday.

The home side were all out for 182, keeper Bilal Hamid top-scoring with 49, but Hall Park squeezed home despite the efforts of Arsaam Malik (3-30) and Javid Usama (3-52).

In Division Two, Steeton stay second despite losing to promotion rivals Ilkley by 37 runs, while Bolton Villas were thumped by seven wickets against leaders Adel.

Villas batsman Siraj Hussain batted superbly to score 81, but his side could only post 165 all out and were beaten with ease.

Harden still lead the way in Division Three, but wobbled in their pursuit of promotion after being mauled by 134 runs at Thackley.

The hosts have come from nowhere to mount a promotion charge themselves, and Jack Bedford’s 51 not out helped them post 219 all out batting first.

Harden’s reply never stood a chance in the face of inspired bowling from Thackley’s Craig Wiseman, who took stunning figures of 8-58 to help dismiss the visitors for 85.

Bingley Congs are enjoying a strong first season in Division Four, and they sit third after beating Adel by 43 runs.

Congs struggled with the bat, and it took 36 down the order from Josh Nutting to get them to 130 all out.

Fortunately for them, hosts Adel fared even worse, as Alex Bradbury (3-12) and Harry Greenhalgh (3-16) were the chief destroyers in skittling them for 87.