OXENHOPE’S challenge for the ENCO Halifax League Premier Division title is floundering, as they came out second best in dramatic tussle at home to Booth on Saturday.

The visitors chose to take first knock and posted 211-8 in their 45 overs, the top scorers being Jarred Moore (55) and Robert Laycock (53).

However, the close of the innings belonged to the home attack as four wickets fell for only eight runs, Joel Fothergill taking 4-55, while three run-outs did not help Booth.

The home team, however, were thwarted in their chase for 212, falling 10 runs short at 202-7.

Rohid Ali (48) led the way but, despite the efforts of six other double-figure scores, they ran out of overs.

Oakworth are out of the promotion places in the Second Division on points difference only, and they enjoyed another positive Saturday.

They enjoyed the surroundings at Bridgeholme, no-one more so than Brannan Lawn (96 not out), who was frustrated in not reaching his century due to the match being reduced to 35 overs per team.

Jake Keslinke hit 51 to help back him up, with Tuffique Butt taking 4-34.

Bridgeholme, left no option but to chase a massive target in the overs available, made a brave attempt but their 24.2 overs ‘only’ brought 175, with Awais Khalid (53) top scoring.

Lawn enjoyed a superb all-round day with 5-45 as Jack Davison took 4-15.

Cullingworth remain stuck in mid-table, dismissed by promotion-contending hosts Old Town for only 113.

Only three batters there hit two figures, with skipper Michael Dennison (33) top-scoring, Muhammad Zubair (5-30) being the top wicket-taker.

Town then needed less than 20 overs to score a winning 114-3 as Muhammad Nabeel (59) and Sagher Shaheen (37no) ensured victory.