STEETON may be going great guns in the Waddilove Cup, but they are in an increasingly perilous position in the Premier Division of the Aire-Wharfe League.

The same could have been said for Harden in Division One, but their stunning victory at Ilkley on Saturday could be the catalyst to save their season.

Steeton's defeat at home to Burley at the weekend, by just two runs, was their eighth loss in 11 matches and leaves them 45 points from safety as the campaign reaches its halfway mark.

Burley chose to bat and made 240-9, despite Tremaine Dowrich taking 6-65.

The latter was then dismissed by the third ball of the innings, but a stand of 46 between Max Harrison (34) and Luke Chapman (29) put Steeton back on track.

James Robinson (58) and skipper Steve Pearson (36) then added 52 for the fifth wicket, and keeper Adam Smith (24) and second-teamer Adam Hardwick (31) kept them in the hunt.

Pearson and Hardwick were at the crease heading into the final over, with Steeton needing 11 runs to win, but both were dismissed and they finished just short on 238-8, which rather summed up their league season.

Conversely, Harden boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop back to Division Two with a four-wicket victory at third-placed Ilkley.

The home side won the toss, but could only total 136 as Prathamesh Kumble (4-33), Andy Wear (2-16) and Matthew Hogg (2-48) restricted them.

Harden were in dire straits at 35-4 and 63-5, but a partnership of 60 for the sixth wicket between Tom Stordy (62) and Owen Narey (25 not out) almost got them to the line.

And despite Stordy’s dismissal with 14 still needed for victory, Harden held their nerve and won with two balls of the 40th over remaining.

Harden are still second from bottom, but are now just one point behind Follifoot.