IQBAL Khan proved to be a big hit as Skipton stepped up their Aire-Wharfe Division Two promotion bid with a 59-run win over leaders Colton.

The result carries them into second place above Horsforth who saw their match abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The victory was the product of a smart declaration by skipper Richard Nichols in a match severely disrupted by rain.

The start was delayed by two hours, reducing it to a 30-overs contest, and it was no surprise when Colton asked Skipton to bat first when play finally got under way.

Skipton had progressed to 46-2 in 12 overs when rain halted play and resulted in the loss of 17 overs from the game.

It was at this point that Skipton gambled by pushing the powerful Khan up the order and the move paid handsome dividends.

Khan peppered the boundary with eight fours and five sixes as he smashed 75 from just 30 balls to propel Skipton to 137-5 after 21 overs.

Although Skipton could have batted on for a further nine overs, Nichols wanted to go for the win. He declared and set Colton 138 to win in 22 overs.

It was a decision to pay real dividends. Colton were restricted to 78-9 with three run outs helping the Skipton cause. Shahid Nadeem (2-19) and Gary Owens (2-24) were the most-successful bowlers.

With six games to go, Skipton are 13 points behind Colton with Horsforth one point behind them and Pool 13. It promises to be a thrilling finale.

Steeton will be casting anxious glances over their shoulder after a 15-run defeat by lowly Guiseley left them uncomfortably close to the Division One relegation positions.

Guiseley made 148-3 in 23 overs when they batted first in a game curtailed by rain. Damon Reeve (70no) and swashbuckling Jo Inglis (50) shared a third-wicket stand of 95 after Joe Stead (2-47) picked up a couple of early wickets.

Opener Andrew Foulds gave Steeton early impetus as he made 50 from 45 balls, hitting two sixes and six fours.

The middle order failed to capitalise on his good work and only skipper Stephen Pearson (30no) threatened to break the grip of the Guiseley bowlers as Steeton finished on 133-8.

Addingham are the new leaders of Division Three but bottom team Silsden gave them a big scare before they squeezed home by two runs.

Silsden looked set to break their luck when they reached 98-6 in reply to Addingham's 118-8. Zabi Ullah (26) and Majid Inyat (24) made useful contributions but Rob Ellis (3-32) struck crucial late blows and they were all out for 116.

Daniel Ellis (36) and Will Atkins (25) were the top scorers for Addingham who made their runs in 19 overs. Chris Meehan (3-19) and Matthew Shuttleworth (3-50) bowled well for Silsden.

Addingham's narrow victory enabled them to climb above New Rover who suffered their third away defeat in a row at Upper Wharfedale. The home side made 182-8 before restricting New Rover to 130-8.