STEETON'S relegation worries deepened as they were put to the sword at Division One title-chasing Horsforth.

Oliver Hardaker was in no mood to hang about as he smashed 19 fours and seven sixes in making 161.

Hardaker certainly seems to enjoy playing against Craven sides. Back in 2010, when only 18, he smashed 329 in a third team game against Upper Wharfedale at Grassington.

This time he put on 101 with Gareth Lee (65) and 208 with Charlie Swallow (69no) as Horsforth recovered from 21-2 to set a 331-4 target.

Pick of the bowlers for Steeton on a tough day in the field was Paul Hardwick (2-84).

Swallow (3-19) and Andrew Robinson (4-22) saw off Steeton for 161 – exactly the same total that Hardaker made on his own – with No 9 James Emmott showing most resistance in a quick-fire 42 from 25 deliveries. Tom Stead also weighed in with 28 from 26 balls.

Division Two leaders Colton made short work of Skipton who needed a ninth wicket stand of 98 between Ben Davey (89no) and Rob Walker (22) to get to 168 in reply to the visitors’ 287-2.

Skipton plunged to 27-6 and then 60-8 before Davey hit two sixes and 13 fours in a breezy knock.

Opener Daniel Gautrey (105), Nigel Danby (58) and Tom Glover (58no) had earlier made batting look easy for Colton.

Second-placed Guiseley remain hot on Colton’s heels although they were given a real test by Addingham.

Michael Truswell (97) and Richard Nichols (96) helped Guiseley to 284-8 only for Addingham to respond with a century from Will Atkins and 65 from Ricky Palacio who had earlier taken four wickets.

However, Marcus Brown (4-59) and Nichols (3-48) ensured Addingham were still 15 runs short of victory at the close.

Ajantha Weerapuli (62) and Nick Flood (55) top-scored in Waddilove Cup finalists Tong Park Esholt’s 271-9 at home to Silsden in Division Three.

Zabeeh Ullah was the Cobbydalers' chief wicket-taker with 3-59 before the visitors slumped to just 82 all out in reply.

Will Murray (4-34) and Mahir Ali (3-26) clinched the 189-run win as Shaun Brentnall (25) and Ullah (17) were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Rock-bottom Upper Wharfedale suffered a 135-run defeat at home to Menston.

All-rounder Callum Lockett took 5-57 in the Menston innings of 257.

Last man Nadeem Hanif was his side's top scorer with a rapid 51 off 16 balls in which 50 of his runs came in boundaries - five sixes and five fours. The next highest score came from 32 extras.

Lockett completed a good individual performance by making 59 from 32 balls. Like Hanif he made 50 in boundaries as he hit five sixes and five fours.

Only Max Bell (40no) gave him support against the bowling of Josh Dracup (3-35) and Hanif (3-51).

Second teams

Steeton II were surprised when they were asked to bat first on an excellent track at Summerhill Lane against bottom side Horsforth II. But the top order failed to capitalise as they slumped to 87-6. However, their tail wagged as Oliver Gledhill scored an excellent 49 from 35 deliveries. Phil Barrett contributed 24, while Zaggy Pearson smashed an unbeaten 46 from 41 deliveries as Steeton closed on 226 all out.

In reply Horsforth were put to the sword by a fantastic opening spell by Callum Lowe, who took 7-35. He was given good support by Luke Watson (3-24) as the visitors were skittled for 99 in 27.4 overs.

Will Pullan (4-13) and Matt Shuttleworth (3-15) helped skittle Thackley for just 90 but Silsden fared even worse as they could only make 80 all out in reply. Andrew Pullan made 25 but man of the match Jonathan Holden (9-35) ensured the visitors triumphed.