MAHIR Ali produced a devastating 29-ball spell of 8-8 to clinch Tong Park Esholt's promotion from Division Three of the Aire-Wharfe League after just one season in the bottom flight.

Ali, who now has 76 wickets in all competitions, combined with Will Murray (2-2) to send bottom side Upper Wharfedale reeling out for just ten, with only two batsman managing to face double figures in balls.

It was not the lowest innings in the league's history – that doubtful distinction belonging to Horsforth, who were dismissed for seven by Knaresborough in 1973.

Leaders Hall Park also made sure of promotion with one week to go but were given a fright by Alwoodley.

It looked plain sailing when Mark McEneaney took 4-57 as the home side were restricted to 127. But having reached 42-1 in their reply, Hall Park wickets started to tumble as Adam Slater picked up 8-38 and it took a determined innings from McEneaney (61no) to see his side to victory.

McEneaney's performance underlined what a superb all-round season he has had, taking him to 737 runs and 65 wickets in league and cup.

Green Lane's hopes of also bouncing straight back to the second flight were ended in an agonisingly close match against Leeds Modernians, who pipped them for the third spot.

Waleed Akhtar (45), Neil Britton (44) and Michael Ellis (22) fought their way to 148 and with Azhar Mahmood (4-28) pegging away, Modernians were struggling – but former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn (33no) saw them home with two wickets and seven balls to spare.

A 6-36 spell by Harry Smallwood saw Menston collapse from 95-3 to 120 all out, Phil Raikes scoring 59, before Scott Sanderson (38no) and Tom Smallwood (33no) eased Olicanian to a comfortable win that lifts them to fourth in the table.

Manley du Preez (3-64), Shaun Brentnall (3-45) and Chris Meehan (3-61) had New Rover struggling until Rob Thomas scored a century to take his side to 248. Openers Simon Cox (34) and Chris Barrett (40) then gave Silsden a solid start but they went down by 79 runs.

The race to be Division One champions will not be decided until Saturday's final match of the season, with Beckwithshaw still two points ahead of Otley after both took maximum points at the weekend.

Beckwithshaw overcame Kirkstall by 85 runs, confirming the Eddies' relegation, while Otley comfortably saw off the challenge of Ilkley.

Jamie Pickering (51) and James Davies (61) led the way in Otley's 244-8 and only Ben Pengelly (52) looked threatening as Ilkley were dismissed for 116, with Chris Thompson (6-25) taking his seasonal tally past 50.

Andrew Duckworth included 20 boundaries in hitting 141 off 104 balls and shared a stand of 176 with Ben Heritage (62) as Rawdon set a target of 251-6. Stephen Pearson took 4-47 and wicketkeeper Andrew Foulds picked up five catches for Steeton.

Foulds (45) then top scored and, with fellow opener David Robinson (43) and Tom Stead (40), raised Steeton hopes but the rest of the innings collapsed and their relegation was confirmed.

It turned out that they would have still gone down even if they had won because Collingham, the only side they could catch, ensured their own safety by passing Burley's 115 total with a wicket to spare, 19 of the visitors' runs coming from extras.

Charlie Swallow (92), Byron Boshoff (51) and Gareth Lee (41no) helped Horsforth to 250-5, with Lee (4-17) and Andy Robinson (5-62) then dismissing Pool for 135 in which number nine Sam Wilkinson made 49.

Harden were relegated from Division Two after being bowled out for 110 by Knaresborough.

The news came as a relief to Thackley, who had failed to secure their own safety at Skipton. Gary Owens (6-28) saw Thackley dismissed for 94, which the home side passed with eight wickets in hand.

Ben Rhydding were another side bowled out cheaply, crashing to 88 to give Illingworth a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Having secured promotion, Guiseley were looking to finish the campaign in style but foundered against Adel, who passed a 165 target with five wickets in hand. Chris Wain picked up 4-15 for Guiseley.

Calverley struggled on a lively pitch and were dismissed for 124, Dan Hall top-scoring with 45. Follifoot cruised to victory by nine wickets.