The pursuit of the Dales Council League's Division A title intensified yesterday following the first defeat of the season for leaders Shipley Providence (104), who went down to a 28-run defeat at fourth-placed Leeds Sikh.

Having dismissed the home side for 132, the visitors looked well placed for a seventh successive win. However, Harcharan Seehra proved the real star for home side, returning 6-36 to send Prov crashing to defeat.

Rodley (97-3) are a mere two points away from Shipley following a seven-wicket over basement boys Cookridge (93, Gary Lewsey 6-18), ensuring an interesting match next week when the top two clash at Rodley.

Moving into the top three are Hepworth & Idle, following their win over Charcos New Wortley, “Heppies” were rocking at 115-7. However, an eighth- wicket stand of 82 featuring Dave Matthews (57) and Glen Pinkney (33) helped the Westfield Lane side to 223-9 at tea. Charcos were then dismissed for just 112.

Early pacesetters Halifax Direct (126) slumped to their third successive defeat, going down by 49 runs at Hyde Park (175-6, Kashim Rehman 81), while Crompark (84-1) made it back-to-back nine-wicket wins after entertaining Hawksworth (80, Doug Richardson 5-13).

Baildon (261, Ayaz Al1 73, Adil Wahid 64) hit the highest total of the day after visiting Tong, where struggling Farnley Hill were dismissed for just 104 (Daniel Metcalfe 5-19) in reply Division B leaders Saville Stars (232, Azhar Gulfraz 90) made it a magnificent seven wins out of seven after recording a 56-run victory at Farsley (176).

The McDermott father and son combination of Dave (52) and 13-year-old Kevin (49) were to the fore again, helping Hepworth & Idle B (169-8) to a 45-run win at Pudsey Congs (124, Alistair Goodchild 51).

Division C leaders Apperley Bridge B (246) created a new league record when Zahid Ullah Jaan (75no) and Umar Ahmed added 106 for the tenth wicket in their 100-run win at Cookridge B (146).

Second-in-the-table Thornbury B (137) slipped to a two-wicket defeat at third-placed Saville Stars B (138-8, Mugbul Patel 78).

In Division D, Pudsey St Lawrence (139-9) maintained their top spot after shooting out Wibsey Park Chapel for just 55 (Chris Bulgin 5-26).

However, second-placed Undercliffe (166-8, Imran Ali 50) continue to gain ground on the leaders after rolling over Cookridge C for just 75 (Arsian Mahmood 5-30).