A MAGNIFICENT century by captain Ben Morley helped Rawdon claim the Aire-Wharfe League Division One title on Saturday.

In a title race that has been one of the closest in years, Rawdon sealed the trophy with a nine-wicket win at home over reigning champions Saltaire.

Openers Nathan Goldthorp (4-45) and Tyler Willmott (3-51) helped to restrict the visitors to just 140, with skipper Ben Morley spearheading a famous victory with a staggering 111 not out from just 64 deliveries.

Morley had previously steered their closest challengers Otley to the title, but they could not take this year’s battle to the final weekend after falling to a 45-run defeat against visitors Collingham & Linton.

Electing to bat, Collingham made a competitive 223-8, largely down to middle-order Charlie Swallow (76 not out) and No.10 Kieren Helwig (31 not out), who put on 67 in the closing stages.

Though comfortably ahead in their run chase for the majority, Otley collapsed from 48-2 to 53-5 and then 131-7 to 143-9, Adam Weatherall (4-51) and Toby Jacklin (3-39) the most prolific with the ball as they were bowled out for 178 in reply.

57 points further back, Burley-in-Wharfedale remain on course to finish third after picking up maximum points with a 38-run win at home to Ilkley, a result that confirmed the visitors’ relegation.

Burley’s 250-7 was largely down to wicketkeeper Gabe Field, who cracked an unbeaten 123 from 126 deliveries, including 17 fours and four sixes.

Despite James Nixon (65) and Tom Deighton (58) chipping in down the order, seven batters failed to make double figures in Ilkley’s reply of 212.

Beckwithshaw’s relegation fears were also realised in a low-scoring game against Bilton, Tuseif Arshad (5-35) shining with the ball before wicketkeeper Chris Peirson (30) and skipper David Cummings (29) helped Bilton chase down 142 in 35 overs.

Elsewhere in the division, Taran Chana’s decision to field paid dividends, making 44 with the bat to help North Leeds to a seven-wicket win at Addingham, while New Rover beat fellow newcomers Horsforth Hall Park by a single wicket at the Richmond Oval, despite Tom Lester making 75.

The race for the Division 2 crown will come down to the season’s final weekend, with just three points separating Pool and Tong Park Esholt.

Leaders Pool had a straightforward afternoon against Steeton at Summerhill Lane, captain Stevie Pearson (47) and Paul Quinlan (35) the only batters to offer much resistance in the hosts’ disappointing 145 as Krutik Patel and Charlie Bell took three wickets apiece.

The pair then proved their skills with the bat, hitting 67 and 39 respectively to help Pool to their target midway through the 35th over, despite Josh Gill taking 4-11 and Cammy Knowles 2-6.

Tong Park had a similarly easy afternoon at home to bottom club Horsforth, Fawad Maqsood putting on a show in his side’s 279-9 with 119 from just 82 deliveries before being bowled by Matt Wainright (3-54).

Harry Jeavons made 53 and opener Tom Colley 47, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their side from falling to a 17th defeat of the season.

Follifoot are still within a chance of promotion after seeing off closest challengers Adel by 26 runs in Leeds.

Wicketkeeper Tom Stewart (52) comfortably top-scored in Follifoot’s 184 as Gavin Thorpe took 5-46 and Rhys Davey 4-43, before Istikhar Hussain (4-47) helped bowl the hosts out for 158 in reply, despite George Trueman making 56.

Scott Driscoll (59), Ahmad Raja (45) and Gagandeep Pooni (5-49) helped Calverley St Wilfrids to a 59-run win at home to Bardsey, while Charlie Pilling (5-50) helped visitors Olicanian defend 155 by just four runs at Colton Institute.

The match between Harden and Green Lane was abandoned in the 11th over of the second innings, with Harden at 39-0 in response to 311-8, most of which had been contributed by Nadeem Safdar (59) and Imran Zaman (48).