A FINE all round team effort gave Otley Town a 62 runs victory over Highbury and made it four wins out of five games as they seek to return to the first division.

Batting was never easy on a lively wicket and three of Town's top five failed to trouble the scorers.

However, the prolific overseas star Kafiat Hussain continued his rich vein of form with a well struck 66 assisted in a second wicket stand of 69 by Bernard Thornton who made 23.

The late order again produced the goods with Nick McNeice making an unbeaten 28, Kevin Connolly 20 and Will H aines an unbeaten 18 to see Town through to a creditable 180-7.

No Highbury batsman really settled against Town's seam attack. Hussain led the way with 4-29 but Jonny McGee (2-31) and Kevin Connolly (3-21) were equally impressive.

The fielding was a big improvement on the previous week's effort and Highbury were dismissed for 118 with three overs to spare.

This result sees Town pull clear in second place to set up a mouthwatering clash with leaders Pool at Arthington Lane on Saturday.

In Division One promoted Lawnswood jumped to the top leapfrogging four places to take over the leadership after their 12 point win over Leeds Police.

Champions Esholt fell to their first defeat of the season in a low scoring game with Khalsa.

Mohammed Wasim was Man-of-the-Match taking 5-32 as Khalsa were bowled out for 144 but Esholt could only manage 88 in reply with Wasim hitting 49.

In Division Two Pool kept up their impressive form with the best of a drawn game against Colton. Pool made 189 with 19 years-old Paul Henry leading the way with 53. Leigh Ellis contributed 45 but no other Pool batsman made a significant contribution.

As Colton replied with 100-6 Tracey Mahoney took a superb 5-10.

David Hardaker continued his good form for Pool Mills with an impressive 80 as his side made 181 at New Rover.

His colleagues succumbed to some fine bowling from I Stephens who returned 7-57.

New Rover however forged victory with three wickets to spare despite the efforts of I Clarke who took 3-37.

Having lost the toss, Pool Mills seconds were offered first use of the damp but immaculate batting surface against New Rover.

Sadly they failed to do justice to the pitch with skipper Keith Wilkinson setting the tone by suicidally running out fellow opener Andrew Clews from the game's first delivery.

The top order soon followed Clews in a procession as a combination of poor form and poorer shot selection saw Mills reduced to five wickets down before there were 50 runs on the board.

Fortunately for the home side, the fightback came in the shape of all-rounders Matt Keane and Jamie Wilkinson.

They were well followed up by veteran bowlers Brian Davison and Keith Brattley, who ably demonstrated the virtues of experience and a straight bat to guide the Mill to respectability at 143-9.

After the tea interval New Rover set about their task in a manner the Mill would have done well to study. Seeing off the new ball without a chance they came within striking distance of the Pool score with the loss of only a single wicket.

With the game slipping away, skipper Wilkinson played his 'Get out of jail free' card with instant results. Paceman Jamie Wilkinson turned the game on its head, taking a magnificent return catch off his second delivery, and a hat-trick off the last three.

When Matt Keane gifted 'keeper Clews his second stumping of the match, Pool had 11 balls to take the final wicket.

Sadly, despite some confident appeals, it was not to be. On the balance of play a draw was a fair result, but rough justice for Man-of-the -Match Wilkinson's fine all round performance.

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