It has taken almost half the Aire-Wharfe League season but finally there is a glimpse of hope for Calverley.

With just one point from their first seven Division Two matches, few gave them any chance against third-placed North Leeds – but that changed when Jamie Chapman and Alastair Long came together at 62-3.

Chapman hit 76 off 80 balls and Long smashed 12 fours in his 84 from 78 as the pair put on an unbeaten 166. North Leeds never looked likely to reach the 228-3 target and were happy to hang on at 184-7 and restrict Calverley to four points.

That still leaves them eight points adrift of Bardsey and 12 short of Colton, who hover just above the basement duo, but it will make the other bottom-half clubs a little more nervous.

Bolton Villas lifted themselves just above the trailing trio with an impressive win over Bardsey.

Lee Margerison (51), Andrew Clarke (58) and Michael Clarke (47) starred in their 230-9 before Sam Lawrence (5-85) put Bardsey on the rack.

The visitors’ last pair staged a gutsy resistance, putting on 50, but Luke Stockhill swooped to run out William Beddard on 197 and clinch the win.

Andrew Pickup (62) had big stands with Jake Wray (84) and Mike Ellis (37no) as Green Lane recovered from 55-4 to 235-7 on the way to taking five points against Colton (175-9).

Majid Khan (87), Chris Luxton (57) and Yasser Ali (56) starred in Thackley’s 279-5 and put them on the way to ending fellow high-fliers Knaresborough’s unbeaten run.

The visitors looked to have salvaged a draw but three wickets in the last seven balls, including leaving Mahir Ali on a hat-trick with his first delivery of the next match, clinched the win as the leaders were all out for 156.

A century in 102 balls from Jonathan Hughes, who put on 147 with opening partner Alex Bailey (46), was the highlight as Ilkley (229-7) took four points at Adel, who drop to third place behind Thackley after being restricted to 190-7.

Andrew Doidge (3-18) and John Hughes (3-29) restricted Tong Park Esholt to just 88, in which Khalid Rehman scored 27, before Joe Loorham (43) eased Rawdon to victory by nine wickets.

Burley’s hopes of reducing the gap to Division One leaders Beckwithshaw disappeared when they slumped from 52-1 to 100 all out, leaving their rivals to ease home in 28 overs with eight wickets in hand.

The other chasing clubs also faltered, Pool losing to Ben Rhydding and Steeton going down to Otley, leaving Beckwithshaw with a 14-point lead.

Lewis Bolton (45), Charlie Swallow (60no) and Laurie O’Connor (42no) steered Ben Rhydding past Pool’s 191-6 for the loss of two wickets.

Openers Sam Smith (101) and Stewart Smith (57) put on 155 as Otley hit 251-8, with Paul Hardwick picking up 6-52. Steeton never looked like matching that and, with James Davies taking 6-46, they were dismissed for 110.

Half-centuries from Andrew Wear and James Roper helped Harden to 196-9 but they slipped back into the bottom two as defending champions Collingham clinched a seven-wicket victory.

Alex Bell (46) top-scored in Guiseley’s 144 but that was no problem for Bilton, who won by six wickets.

Horsforth and Skipton remain locked at the top of Division Three after both picked up four points from their weekend efforts.

Mark Gilliver (134) and Mark McEneaney (78no) shared a 165 stand in Horsforth’s 275-3 and McEneaney then weighed in with 5-49. But with Adrian Morgan hitting a half-century, Menston managed to hang on for the draw at 207-9.

Steve Carling (51) was the leading scorer in Skipton’s 229-8 but Aaron Chapman (81) made sure Hall Park (197-9) earned a draw.

Half-centuries from Neil Benbow and Ian Thomas and 81 by Jamie Hudson, along with a 5-68 spell from William Pearson, were the highlights as Olicanian (252-8) secured victory over Woodhouse (184).

Majid Inayat (125) starred as Silsden (258) took four points off New Rover (217-7), while third-placed Addingham crashed to an eight-wicket defeat when they were skittled out for 60 at Upper Wharfedale.