ON A day when the rain washed out many Aire-Wharfe League fixtures and prevented all but one match from finishing, the new bonus-points system meant there was still plenty at stake in the overs that could be played.

Rawdon used it to their advantage, gaining ground on the teams above them in the race to avoid relegation from Division One.

Conor McInerney (31), Ben Heritage (41) and a sparkling half-century in 26 balls, including four fours and three sixes, from Anthony Gilks helped them to 192-5 at almost seven an over against Ilkley.

That brought three batting bonus points – and McInerney, Josh Hobson and Andrew Doidge then took a wicket each to grab a bowling bonus before rain drove the players off with Ilkley on 70-3 after 15 overs.

Meanwhile, third-bottom Pool were skittled out for 76 by Beckwithshaw and managed only one bowling point to reduce the gap between them and Rawdon to five points.

It looks as though it is a fight to see who can avoid joining Ben Rhydding in the drop after they crashed to their ninth defeat of the season, despite bowling out Steeton for 99.

In a tense finish, Jonathan Best (4-41), Jonathan Stander (2-9) and Neil Spragg (4-23) clinched victory for Steeton by two runs, leaving Ben Rhydding 21 points from safety and without a win since May 26.

Meanwhile, Guiseley are in danger of being dragged into the dogfight after picking up no bonuses when Bilton bowled them out for 92.

Shane Etherington included a hat-trick in a 6-36 spell as Burley restricted Collingham to 168-9.

But despite the efforts of Ed Brown (39) and Jason Wright (52), who put on 78 at more than ten an over, Burley were still 24 runs short of victory when the rain intervened.

The did inch a point closer to leaders Otley, who picked up four batting points in quick time at Kirkstall thanks to Ben Morley (37), James Davies (64) and George Huntley (25).

Green Lane were the big-hitters in Division Two, Andy Lee smashing 73 in 47 balls as they declared on 236-5 at Tong Park Esholt, who were 60-2 when it was abandoned.

That moved them closer to leaders Follifoot and North Leeds but it will require a massive effort if they are to overhaul the 22-point gap.

In Division Three, Hall Park's attack was given a hard time by New Rover's Ryan Skeen, who was unbeaten on 137 made in 104 balls.

With Steve Phillips (51no) and Bev Williams (26no) looking menacing, the rain halted what might have been an interesting run chase.

Minhaj Patel (4-49), Sam Boyden (3-45) and Gareth Lee (3-31) bowled out Bardsey for 165 but Menston's chase was halted at 28-1.