THE Aire-Wharfe title race continues to hot up after both Rawdon and Otley claimed crucial victories over the weekend.

With four games left of the current season, it was imperative that the league’s top two sides secured maximum points and they did exactly that.

Rawdon, who now sit 22 points above their title-chasing rivals, put on another scintillating display to reach a score of over 300 runs once again at home to Addingham. The league leaders won the toss and elected to bat first and they left the visitors with little room for manoeuvre, striking a fantastic total of 302-8 from their 50 overs.

James Dobson (136) and Ben Morley (65) were the home side’s biggest scorers; however, they were equally as impressive with the ball in hand- bowling Addingham out for just 178 runs from a total of 34.2 overs, Tyler Willmott earning himself five wickets.

As for the chasers Otley, their home tie with Beckwithshaw was perhaps much closer than anticipated. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first and they started off brightly, with a combination of Oliver Hebblethwaite (11), Joseph Holderness (32) and Ben Holderness (78) taking the away side to a total of 142-3. They were eventually bowled out for 211 after 46.5 overs.

Otley knew they must respond with a better score, but it took them 46.2 overs to reach their end total of 214-4, meaning they claimed a six-wicket victory. James Davies (97) and Oliver Halliday (66) were Otley’s most prolific batters.

Elsewhere in Division One of the Aire-Wharfe League, Ilkley claimed their second victory in their last three league appearances, this time collecting maximum points at North Leeds- a huge fixture between the bottom two sides of the division.

The four-wicket victory now puts Ilkley two points off safety, a position which seemed almost impossible a month ago.

North Leeds won the toss and elected to bat first and they were bowled out for 182 from 46.2 overs, Paul Dover claiming 3-48 and Mark Coldwell 4-27. Ilkley reached their target after 33.3 overs, and it was James E Raper with 72 runs who stood out for Ilkley with the bat.

Elsewhere in the top division of the Aire-Wharfe League, there were victories for Bilton, Collingham & Linton and Horsforth Hall Park after they claimed a four-wicket victory at the reigning champions, Saltaire.

Like in Division One, Division Two saw the top two sides collect valuable victories to ensure an exciting finish to the league campaign.

Tong Park Esholt travelled to Bardsey, won the toss and elected to bat first. They reached a respectable total of 213 after being bowled out from 48.4 overs.

In response, the visitors were in fine form to bowl the hosts out for 101, and they were able to collect a 19-point victory in the process.

But second-placed Folifoot were in no means to hand Tong an easy run-in to the title as they put on a clinical display to dispatch Horsforth at home.

The away side stepped up to bat first but were bowled out for 179 from 36.2 overs. In response, Folifoot cruised to a 20-point victory by reaching their targeted score from only 27.3 overs.

Tong now sit 21 points ahead of their nearest challengers with four games left, so an exciting season ending is certain to be in store.

There were also wins for Adel, Calverley St Wilfrids, Green Lane and Colton Institute.