Top of the table GILDERSOME were looking to protect their lead against their visitors Methley A and produced an excellent display in the field, but were then made to sweat for victory.

However, after they emerged as victors in a well fought out contest they have now taken a giant stride towards winning the division, having gone 10 points clear of their rivals with only two games to go.

Methley took first knock and soon saw wickets tumbling to the opening bowlers Shaun Horan and Simon Hampshaw. Only with a 31-run stand for the seventh wicket between Dave Ellis (13) and Michael Wade (25) did they ever threaten to put a decent score on the board and they were all out for 85.

Hampshaw proved the pick of the Gildersome bowlers with 6-34 from 17.1 overs while Horan claimed 2-47 and last week's hat-trick hero Aidan McCormack took a wicket in his only over.

Methley were determined to make Gildersome's task hard although they were chasing such a low score and for a time the result was in the balance.

Mel Wood (14) and Paul Pearson (6) gave the hosts a decent start with a 25-run opening stand, but wickets then tumbled to leave them on 60-6 and in a precarious position.

A succession of foolish mistakes from the batsmen had let Methley back into the contest, but cometh the men and the hour in the shape of skipper James Glover and youngster Max Elliott. Both applied themselves well and remained there until the end, guiding Gildersome past their target with four wickets in hand.

Elliott, normally more of a big hitting late order batsmen, did well to stand firm and follow his captain's example to make six not out while Glover hit the winning runs with two fours through a leg side gap to end on 18.

GILDERSOME A were caught out on a wet wicket at New Farnley A as they lost their Division Three game by nine wickets.

After being asked to bat first, they were all out for only 45 and the home team made short work of reaching their low target.