By Emma Kennedy

WITH BOTH promotion and relegation from the Aire-Wharfe League Division Two yet to be confirmed heading into the final round of matches, it was Pool who claimed the title after a 37-run win at home to Calverley.

Placed into bat, the hosts had skipper Charlie Bell (43) and middle-order Will Cooper (41) for seeing them recover from 77-5 to 194-8 as Gagandeep Pooni took 4-36 and Tom Simpson 3-36.

Bell then capped off a fantastic individual performance, taking 8-56 to bowl the visitors out for 157.

Joining them in the top flight next season will be Tong Park Esholt, who finished just two points behind after a seven-wicket win at Olicanian.

Tom Starkey (51) top-scored in the hosts’ competitive 205-8, with Dave Hester taking 4-68 before making 80 with the bat – alongside Fawad Maqsood (65 not out) - as Esholt chased down their target in the 45th over.

At the other end of the table, Harden’s relegation was confirmed with defeat at the hands of cellar dwellers Horsforth at King George’s Field.

Tom Colley’s decision to field proved a good one, with Harden skipper Andy Wear (62) the only batter to offer much resistance against the bowling of Matt Wainwright (4-13) and Danny Taylor (2-36) in the visitors’ 175-9.

Harry Jeavons (31 no), Mitch Bunker (29), and Matt Caines (27) then saw Horsforth home with 13 overs to spare.

The matches between Follifoot and Colton Institute and Green Lane and Steeton saw both teams that batted first go on to dismiss their opponents for less than 100 runs.

Follifoot secured third place, finishing nine points behind Esholt after Yasar Ali (89 no) and Hector Bowerman (75) helped them to a 247-run thrashing of Colton.

Istikhar Hussain again led the way with the ball, with only two batters making double figures as the visitors were bowled out for just 53 in reply to 300-7.

Steeton enjoyed a similarly fruitful afternoon with the bat, with Jack Ramage (62), Cammy Knowles (53), Louis Horsfield (51), and captain Stevie Pearson (48no) all contributing to their 273-7.

James McDonald (5-37) and Max Harrison (4-21) then proved unplayable with the ball as the hosts were skittled for just 87.

Elsewhere, Bardsey finished the season with maximum points at home to Adel, Sadaqat Zaman (6-50) helping to bowl the visitors out for 102 before captain and wicketkeeper Tom Clayton (44 no) saw his side to victory in 26 overs.

They will be joined in the second tier next season by Division Three champions Bolton Villas, and Kirkstall Educational.

Collingham & Linton’s Toby Jacklin confirmed his place atop the league’s bowling averages with 81 wickets, but his 5-49 was not enough to prevent a 19th win of the season for Division One champions Rawdon.

Wicketkeeper-batsman James Dobson (38) top-scored in Rawdon’s 140, with Jake Hodges and Andrew Doidge then taking three wickets apiece to bowl the hosts out for 118 in reply.

Otley had an even easier afternoon at Bilton, skipper Alex Atkinson (56 no) helping them chase down the hosts’ 89 in just 15.4 overs after Stephen Brown (4-36) and Charles Simondson (3-15) had impressed before tea.

Saltaire and Burley-in-Wharfedale faced off in the battle for third, with the hosts finishing just two points ahead after claiming the maximum 20 with a 164-run win.

Awaise Hussain’s unbeaten 167 from 151 deliveries – including 13 fours and six sixes – formed the majority of Salts’ 277-3, with Mutashan Ali Shah (4-15) and Adal Islam (3-32) then helping to restrict the visitors to 113 in reply.

Horsforth Hall Park also claimed maximum points after scoring 277 at home to Addingham, Michael Loubser (59) and Tom Watson (54) putting on 98 for the fourth wicket as Ricky Palacio took 4-67.

Palacio then hit 54 with the bat, but Alfie Spencer (4-35) and Loubser (3-59) ensured the visitors fell 59 runs short.

The only other matches in the division saw Rohan Ratnalingam (67 no), Christodolus Bogdanos (56), and captain Michael Richmond (45) help New Rover chase down Ilkley’s 216-8, while Harry Kellaway’s 68 not out saw North Leeds pass Beckwithshaw’s 145 in 31 overs, despite Olly Hotchkiss making 80.