MENSTON, who have been improving over the past two-and-a-half seasons, are making a good fist so far of getting out of Aire-Wharfe League Division Two.

Seventh in the third tier in 2022 and fourth last year, they are currently second in the table, just three points behind leaders Kirkstall Educational.

Menston’s batters were again in form, taking tea having made 278-8 at home to Alwoodley.

Set on their way by an opening stand of 93 between Tom Mounsey (52) and captain Adam Montague-Miller (50), overseas Zarhad Khan (28) then put on 63 with the prolific JH Johnson (60), McCauley Taylor weighing in with 26.

Alwoodley were never at the races in reply, being back in the pavilion for 135 as Khan took 3-46, Ethan Lowans 2-13 and Simon Panteli 2-25.

Horsforth slipped a place to fifth after being distinctly second best at Shadwell, who made 251-7 after winning the toss, the persevering Brad Moritz taking 5-78.

The reply lasted just 23.2 overs as the visitors were toppled for just 66, with only Alex Wiggan (19) and Moritz (13) in double figures.

Green Lane are up to seventh after a second victory this season - this time at home to Leeds Modernians.

The hosts chose to field and rolled over Mods for 115, opener Chris Dalby making a stubborn 32 as Jack Roberts (4-37) and Dan Frost (4-18) carved a swathe through the innings.

Chris Bogdanos gave Lane a decent start, and the job was finished off by skipper Dan Husband (30no) as they won by six wickets in the 33rd over.

Meanwhile, Otley continued their perfect record in the Premier Division, making it seven wins out of seven by defeating bottom-of-the-table Bilton.

Leaders Otley chose to bat and scored 271-7, openers Alex Atkinson (42) and Ben Morley (41) continuing their rich vein of form with a partnership of 72.

Then Ollie Halliday (58) and Steve Brown (37) took up the cudgels in a stand of 83 for the sixth wicket, keeper Paul Stephen Nicholson (20) and Freddie Hill (22) then adding 45 for the eighth wicket.

Bilton may be propping up the table, but they made a decent reply of 226, Brown (3-72) and overseas Roby Lane (5-70) mopping up the tail as they collapsed from 220-6.

Otley have 137 points, 22 ahead of defending champions Collingham, and Burley stayed third on 91 after also claiming maximum points at home to North Leeds, winning the toss and scoring 248-9.

Opener Mark Harrison (58) and Dan Revis (55) put on 109 for the second wicket in a strong start as all the top seven made double figures.

North Leeds, who were 44-4, did well to reach 198, Jason Krafft (3-33) and Nicky Bulcock (3-50) getting among the wickets.

Pool have joined Rawdon on 70 points after defeating them at Arthington Lane.

The hosts chose to have first knock and made 201, opener Kruthik Patel (55) putting on 89 for the second wicket with skipper Charlie Bell (32), No 9 Cameron Duncan helping them over 200 with an unbeaten 35.

Rawdon were then dismissed for a disappointing 126, with only opener James Doidge (31), Tom Wrigglesworth (24) and skipper Joe Smith (33) troubling the scorers to any degree as change bowlers Patel (3-29) and Bell (4-35) made it a good day for all-rounders.

Horsforth Hall Park dropped two places to ninth after losing a tense match at Adel.

The home side made 199-9 after winning the toss, Charles Greatbatch taking 5-39, but Hall Park could not build on their fine start, falling from 146-3 to 192 all out to lose by seven runs.

Joe Greaves (50) dominated an opening stand of 87 with Priyank Koli (19), Michael Loubser (48) then putting on 49 with keeper Andrew Bairstow (22) to get them to their high-water mark before the tide turned.

Addingham only lead the Division One table by 10 points from Beckwithshaw, who have also won six out of six.

Hosts Olicanian chose to bat, and recovered from 67-6 to total 170, skipper James Hudson (30) putting on 66 for the seventh wicket with Manley du Preez (53no).

Ricky Palacio (4-40) was the main reason for the early strife, and he played his part after tea too by scoring 26 in a stand of 51 for the second wicket with Edward Croft.

The latter finished on 51 not out, Nick Farrell being 68 not out in an unbroken partnership of 114 that carried Addingham to an eight-wicket victory in the 34th over.

Ilkley are the best of the rest in third with 82 points after triumphing at Bolton Villas.

Woodie Luffman (64) was the main contributor to Ilkley’s 221 after they chose to bat, putting on 83 for the fourth wicket with Alex Bailey (20) after they were 49-3.

Three wickets fell on 132 before Isaac Luffman (34) added 55 for the seventh wicket with Rob Spivey (24).

Villas were out of it at 109-8 before an unbroken stand of 74 took them closer, with four Ilkley bowlers taking two wickets.

Guiseley are fourth on 75 points after handing New Rover a fifth defeat of the campaign.

Sent in, Guiseley made 233-8, a partnership of 149 between Aniket Rana (75) and skipper James Davey (72) being instrumental in that total, with Rana hitting eight fours and two sixes and Davey seven fours and three sixes.

New Rover opener Josh Watson scored 115, but lacked support as he was last out with the score on 223, Ben Grimmitt taking 3-36 and Louis Barker 3-56.