Steeton survive and Skipton tie thriller against Horsforth

Promoted last season, they lost eight of their first 10 completed matches and looked for all money as if they would return back to the second tier.

However, a remarkable run of nine successive victories has secured their place in the Premier Division for 2025, with Rawdon, who Steeton defeated on Saturday, being demoted instead alongside Bilton.

Rawdon, whose season has gone in the opposite direction to Steeton - they won three of their first four but have now lost 12 of their last 15 completed matches - were put in at Larkfield Road.

That proved a very wise decision by Steeton skipper Steve Pearson as they were skittled for 88.

New-ball duo James McDonald (3-29) and Pearson (4-12) reducing the home side to 5-5 before stands of 25 and 32 got them to a level of respectability.

Rain then reduced Steeton’s target to 83 from 41 overs, and Ben Hemsley, who didn’t bowl due to a shoulder injury, guided them to a seven-wicket win inside 17 overs by scoring 48 not out.

Steeton have climbed above North Leeds into ninth and are 44 points above the second relegation place with only 40 points to play for.

There was drama at Horsforth in Division Two, where their home match against Skipton finished in a tie, although, because of rain, the scores weren’t level.

Skipton made 253-5 off the 47 overs that the weather allowed, with captain Gary Owens scoring 104 off 93 balls.

Gary Owens scored a brilliant century for Skipton, but it was only enough for a tie. (Image: Andy Garbutt.)

He added 73 for the third wicket with opener Shahid Nadeem (57) before being dismissed just before the end of the innings.

Rain reduced Horsforth’s target to 223 from 41.5 overs, and Skipton were hot favourites when they reduced their opponents to 33-3.

Owens took 2-28 before Nadeem bagged 3-43, but Horsforth fought back well and finished on 222-7 to claim the tie.

Skipton, who collected 13 points from the match and are 10th, are now only two points behind ninth-placed Horsforth.