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RAWDON, champions two years ago, runners-up in 2020 and third in 2021 and 2023, have been relegated from the Aire-Wharfe League Premier Division after failing to arrest their freefall.
The Larkfield Road side won their first three games to move second in the table behind Otley, but have since won just three of their 17 games, with the defeat to Steeton on Sunday being their ninth successive reverse.
Rawdon was sent in by Steeton and dismissed for 88, Tom Watson scoring 31 and Ryan Gladwin 32.
Rain reduced Steeton’s target to 83 in 41 overs, and they were 26-2 but lost only one more wicket to secure victory in the 17th over.
Otley, with the Premier Division crown already secured, suffered a 14-point defeat at Saltaire – their fourth loss of the season.
The home side scored 180, with spinner Roby Lane taking 7-70 in his 12 overs, and rain then reduced Otley’s target to 173 from 42 overs.
Alex Atkinson (18) and George Myers (34) put on 51 runs for Otley’s first wicket as they chased a revised target of 173 in 42 overs, but there was little after that and they were dismissed for 158.
Pool dropped one place to fourth after losing at home to Tong Park Esholt.
Asked to bat, Pool made just 133 despite being on 88-2 as Logan Duval led the way with 59 off 43 balls.
They lost their last eight wickets for 45, and TPE won by six wickets in the 32nd over.
Burley dropped to sixth after making just 148 at Collingham, with Joe Hall (34), Charles Davy (26) and Josh Hastings (42) the main contributors.
But it was not enough and Collingham won by five wickets in the 31st over, Nicky Bulcock taking 2-16.
Addingham are continuing their efforts, having secured the Premier League title by beating nearest rivals Beckwithshaw by 20 points.
Opener Ricky Palacio (77) and captain Richard Atkins (65) put on 100 runs for the third wicket of hosts Addingham after being sent out, and they finished at 226-9 in 47 overs.
Beckwithshaw, who was set a revised target of 230, also from 47 overs, was 37-3 but recovered to make 209, with Palacio bagging 3-48 and James Nixon taking 3-62.
Third-placed Ilkley are still chasing Beckwithshaw in the promotion race, claiming a comprehensive victory at bottom-placed Bardsey.
Wicketkeeper Will Spivey led the way for the visitors, scoring 114 not out as they made 273-2 in 48 overs after electing to bat.
Will Spivey’s unbeaten century gave Ilkley a comfortable victory at the weekend. (Image: Andy Garbutt.)
Spivey shot 103 unbroken for third with Alex Bailey (52no).
Bardsey was then bowled out for 93 in 26 overs, with Paul Dover taking 4-36.
Guiseley are now sixth, swapping places with Bolton Villas after beating them by 75 points at Nethermoor.
The hosts were 78-1 after 39 from opener Jake Whittaker but struggled thereafter and were bowled out for 173.
Louis Barker then spoiled Villas’ reply, taking 5-14 as the visitors were back at the pavilion for 103, having been set a revised target of 179 from 40 overs.
Olicanian is eighth after a crushing 198-point defeat at Follifoot.
Menston have been promoted from Division Two and need just three points from their last two games to lift the trophy ahead of Kirkstall Educational.
Their 17th win of the season came convincingly at home to third-placed Shadwell.
Menston, invited to bat, made 240-9 in 46 overs, captain Adam Montague-Miller (44) putting on 115 with Fraser Oates (76).
After the rains arrived, Shadwell was set a revised target of 141 from 20.5 overs.
They could only manage 102-5, with Sarfaraz Ahmed taking 3-7 from four overs, eliminating them from the promotion race.
Green Lane were at Kirkstall and made 151 after being sent out, which was largely due to Bradley Hallas’ 84 not out, who came to the wicket at 17-3.
Kirkstall’s target was reduced slightly to 150 in 45 overs and they won by three wickets with plenty of time to spare, despite Neil Britton taking 3-33.
