bowled out for 188.OTLEY’S Alex Atkinson is continuing to enjoy his most prolific Aire-Wharfe season to date, with his staggering 196 not out against Ilkley seeing him top the scoring charts.

Electing to bat, he added 91 for the first wicket with George Huntley (36) before Josh Atkinson (123) joined him at the crease in a second-wicket stand worth 239 as the hosts stormed to 375-5.

Charlie Simondson (3-49) then took control with the ball after tea, with the Baht’atters only managing 223 in reply.

No.9 Alfie Spencer (51 no) proved the most effective batter as Horsforth Hall Park made 174 against second-placed Rawdon, with Joel Morley taking 3-25, Nathan Goldthorp 3-38, and the economical Andrew Doidge 2-18.

Wicketkeeper James Dobson smashed an unbeaten 98, but Jacob Phillips (4-46) ensured wickets fell at the other end, Rawdon squeaking home by one wicket midway through the 40th over.

Burley-in-Wharfedale sit a further 19 points back in third after a three-wicket win at Beckwithshaw.

Skipper Ben Holderness (63) and Miles Buller (31) contributed the majority of the hosts’ disappointing 149, with Jason Wright (4-35), Nicholas Brook (3-20), and Joe Hall (3-33) sharing the wickets.

Despite Joe Holderness’ 3-46, Brook (36) and Nicky Bulcock (32 no) saw Burley home with overs to spare.

The closest match of the afternoon was at Bilton, who came within a whisker of Saltaire’s 210-9.

Openers Awaise Hussain (93) and Muhammad Khurshid (41) comfortably top-scored for the visitors as Luke Jarvis took 5-35, with Bilton skipper David Cummings’ 109 not enough to prevent his side from falling to a one-run defeat.

That result sees them remain fourth, nine points in front of Collingham & Linton who cruised to a seven-wicket win at cellar-dwellers North Leeds.

Change bowler Toby Jacklin (7-59) proved unplayable, with his wickets including Harry Kellaway (79), the only batter to offer much resistance in the visitors’ 152.

Openers Greg Brown (38) and Dan Kilby (44) and then led the way as Collingham reached their target in the 29th over.

Elsewhere, there was better luck for relegation-threatened New Rover who moved up to ninth with a one-wicket win at Addingham, Waleed Akhtar top-scoring as they chased down 172, despite a fantastic individual performance from Richard Atkins (44 and 4-49).

Tong Park Esholt continue to lead the way in Division 2, picking up their 12th win of the season in a low-scoring match at Harden.

Batting first, the league leaders were bowled out for 130 in just 27.3 overs with Fawad Maqsood (55) the best of the batters as Daniel Viles (8-52) shone with the ball.

Mark Portlock (25) and skipper Andy Wear (21) then proved as good as it got for Harden in their reply of 88, Josh Bennett and Shahid Mehmood taking four wickets apiece.

Behind them, it was second versus third as Pool claimed a 45-run win at home to Follifoot, thanks in no small part to an outstanding 124 not out from Will Pallister, who scored over half of his side’s 233-6.

A 68-run partnership for the first wicket between Hector Bowerman (35) and James Orton (76) set Follifoot on their way but Krutik Patel and Olly Boggie (both 4-38) saw them bowled out for 188.

Wicketkeeper Will Joyce (74) and No.10 James Brennan (65) helped Horsforth to a credible 247 at Adel but it wasn’t enough for victory, captain Tom Harrison (94) spearheading Adel’s successful chase.

Green Lane bounced back from last weekend’s defeat with a five-wicket win at Bardsey, Maxwell Lee (60), Asif Yousaf (34), and Deepal Dissanayake (30 no) seeing them pass the hosts’ total of 221 with two overs remaining.

Stevie Pearson claimed his first five-wicket haul of the season but couldn’t prevent his side from falling to a seven-run defeat at home to Colton Institute.

Ian Philliskirk (57) and Paul Horsey (34) top-scored as Colton made 193, but the Summerhill Laners fell just short, despite Pearson making 57 and Max Harrison 36.

Olicanian were also victorious at Calverley, with a 118-run partnership between Corrie Keable (68) and Tom Smallwood (59) helping them to 288-9, a total that Lachlan Cork (66) couldn’t stop them from defending by 30 runs. REPORT BY: EMMA KENNEDY