Amer Ayoub (55no) and Craig Fletcher (46no) scored the last-over runs that took Shelf to joint-top of Division One as they edged out defending Bradford Evening League champions Denholme.

Charlie Davy (51no) had earlier helped set an imposing total of 136-3 but the two Shelf batsmen timed their run chase perfectly to seal a seven-wicket win off the penultimate ball.

Unbeaten Shelf are joined at the summit by Salem Athletic, who had a walk-over as bottom side Bingley Congs could not raise a team.

Tong Park Esholt climbed to third after Sean Kirkley (45) and Danny Groom helped set John Breare a total of 126-5. Dan Metcalf (3-17) then produced a fine spell to restrict the reply to 109-8.

Thornton recorded their first win of the season thanks mainly to Josh Hutchinson. He followed up a powerful 52 not out in his side’s 132-7 total with 3-21 as Smart Moves were dismissed for 87.

Buttershaw St Paul’s are one of four teams level at the top of Division Two.

They made 147-8 at Stonewhite’s new Manningham Mills home ground, with extras contributing 22 runs.

Majid Inayat (45) and Amar Ullah (43) then replied with an opening stand of 93 but the loss of four wickets for ten runs stemmed the momentum and the innings ended on 141-6.

Thackley edged a close encounter at Wibsey Park Chapel. Tom Johnson’s 50 not out rescued the visitors from 40-5 to 113-6 before Joe Tate’s 4-37 saw the hosts collapse from 101-4 to 105 all out.

St Paul’s and Thackley are joined at the peak by Keighley and Shipley Providence, who logged comfortable victories over Daisy Hill and Mayfield respectively.

Oakworth claimed their first win with a seven-wicket success against Indian Panthers.

* Clubs, players and supporters are reminded that Stonewhite are now playing all home fixtures at Manningham Mills on Scotchman Road in Bradford.