Oxenhope were involved in a thrilling ENCO Halifax League Premier Division clash on Saturday, as visiting SBCI’s decision to insert them failed, but only just.

The home team scored 235, and they were indebted to Lewis Brown (68), as Lewis Firth proved a real threat for SBCI with 4-69.

SBCI’s reply was in dire straits when Daniel Scott single-handedly reduced them to 14-3, and at 52-5, it looked like being a highly one-sided afternoon.

But then came a superb sixth-wicket partnership of 164 between Gnanasambandham Arjuna (102) and Simon Wood (65).

The latter was dismissed with just 20 runs needed to win and SBCI faltered thereafter.

Arjuna tried to push on but he was run out at 227-9, with the innings closing one run later at 228-9, allowing Oxenhope to claim the winning draw that moved them above their opponents and up to fifth in the table.

In the Second Division, Oakworth looked to be closing in on promotion in the race to the 12-club First Division for 2025.

They were at Leymoor, where the home team batted first and scored 190, seven batters hitting double figures as Tom Fothergill took 6-61.

Oakworth had no problem achieving the target with a winning 191-5.

James Powell was in the runs again, scoring a superb 84, with Jake Keslinke hitting 49.

Oakworth stay in second place in the table, now enjoying a gap of 17 points over Old Town.

There was a tight finish at Mount, where Cullingworth visited and kept their own promotion hopes alive.

They scored 192-3, with Steve Welch (88) and Elliot Robinson (68) scoring the bulk of the runs.

Mount made a brave attempt at the target and, with the score at 158-6 they had a real chance of victory.

The vital wicket for Cullingworth came when Anees Rawat (67) was dismissed at 183-9, and the innings closed the next ball, nine runs short.

While Elliot Robinson (2-37) is on a hat-trick with his first ball next Saturday, it was James Bloodworth who did the most damage with 5-47.