AFTER the high of being crowned the Aire-Wharfe League Division One Champions last weekend, Saltaire were brought back down to Earth on Saturday, falling to a four-wicket defeat at Olicanian.

Middle-order Mutashan Ali Shah (77) was the only highlight in a poor innings that saw just four Salts batters reach double figures as they were bowled out for a disappointing 161, with Tom Starkey (4-30), Aftab Khan (3-35), and Mohammed Nadim (2-57) sharing the wickets.

Starkey’s 76 then set Olicanian up nicely in their reply, with Tom Smallwood adding a timely 62 from 36 deliveries to help them over the line midway through the 34th over, despite Sajad Ali notching his second five-wicket haul of the season.

One of the performances of the day came from Otley, who are in the driving seat to finish second after ruthlessly dispatching North Leeds by nine wickets at The Homestead.

Wicketkeeper Dom Cowley (26) made the only notable contribution as the hosts collapsed to 69 all out, losing their last five wickets for just seven runs, as Sam Kellett backed up his 4-37 with two run-outs in an impressive individual performance.

Otley chased down their target in a mere 8.4 overs, with wicketkeeper Alex Atkinson (23), skipper George Huntley (18 not out), and Josh Atkinson (15 not out) seeing the match finish in record time.

Burley-in-Wharfedale continued their late push for a podium place after thrashing Bilton by 142 runs at Hodson Park.

Openers Jason Wright (136) and Joe Hall (86) formed a mammoth 221-run partnership for Burley’s first wicket before Matt Hastings’ 58 from just 25 deliveries helped them finish on a competitive 345-4.

Sam Dale (54) and Callum Cardwell (38) saw Bilton start well in their run-chase but the visitors could only manage 203, with Shane Etherington, Hall, and Redmond Bolton taking two wickets apiece.

Collingham & Linton were in similarly electric form in their match at home to Beckwithshaw, recording a 199-run victory.

Wicketkeeper Jonny Haslem (66), Charlie Swallow (64 no), and Gregory Brown (62) all made half-centuries as the hosts finished on a fantastic 310-5, with Alex Morrell (46) scoring almost half of his side’s below-par 111in reply.

Elsewhere, Ilkley claimed the maximum 20 with a 10-wicket win at home to Rawdon, with the result decided via DLS after being abandoned due to a serious injury.

George Myers (62) top-scored for the visitors, with Ben Morley’s 40 seeing him pass 1000 runs for the season, as they were bowled out for 239, Henry Wilson (4-52), and Paul Dover (4-53) doing the most damage with the ball.

Wicketkeeper Will Spivey (55 no) and Sam Housam (36) had Ilkley cruising at 110 without loss in their reply until the match was abandoned after 27 overs, the hosts comfortably beating their revised target of 81.

Addingham were also victorious, defeating Horsforth by five wickets at King George’s Field.

Matt Cordingley (68), Elliot Mason (47), and extras (21) helped Horsforth to a respectable 178-7, with Darrell Robinson (4-15) delivering with the ball before Dan Ellis (59) and Ed Croft (30) saw the visitors over the line in the 44th over.

Division Two leaders New Rover missed the chance to be crowned Champions after a 91-run defeat in a top-of-the-table clash at Horsforth Hall Park.

Wicketkeeper Andy Bairstow (101) and middle-order Sam Wilkinson (61) formed the backbone of the hosts’ competitive 276, with Jonathon Postle (4-59) and Aqsad Ali (4-63) performing with the ball.

New Rover struggled to find much rhythm in their reply of just 185, with Adam Patel (74) comfortably the best of the batters against a strong bowling attack that included Ricky Halloran (4-55) and John Brough (3-62).

Tong Park Esholt still have an outside shot at promotion after picking up the maximum 20 with a comprehensive victory at home to Follifoot.

Home skipper David Hester (77) led from the front, backed up by Josh Bennett (54 no), Dan Groom (51), and extras (32) as the hosts finished on 268-8 before Saqib Mir (6-47) starred with the ball to reduce the visitors to 152 in reply.

At the other end of the table, Steeton had a weekend of mixed fortunes that finished with the Keighley-side moving out of the relegation zone.

They came within a whisker of taking the win against Green Lane at Summerhill Lane on Saturday, with wicketkeeper John Akrigg (77) and all-rounder Stevie Pearson (70) seeing the hosts fall just eight runs short of their target, after Arsaam Malik (134 no) had put Green Lane in a commanding position.

The Summerhill Laners then came out on top in a must-win match at home to fellow strugglers Kirkstall Educational on Sunday.

Batting first, the hosts made 297-4, with Pearson (71 no), Chris Wademan (66 no), James Robinson (59), and Mat Nutter (53) making an impression with the bat.

Pearson (3-41) continued his excellent individual display in the field before Gary Boulton decimated the lower order with a magnificent 5-35 as the visitors were bowled out for a below-par 154.