IF BRADSHAW threw the proverbial cat among the pigeons in the ENCO Halifax League Premier Division relegation battle the previous week, it added a tiger this time, with Oxenhope their victims.

Bradshaw moved to within five points of third-from-bottom Sowerby Bridge by beating the Keighley District side by five wickets, while the Bridge lost at Illingworth St Mary’s by 112 runs.

Oxenhope were inserted and Lewis Brown (94) scored nearly half of his team’s 206-9 before being run out as Si Collins took 4-44.

Collins then struck 50 not out, putting on an unbroken 107 for the sixth wicket with Piers Fisher, who made an unbeaten 62 to help secure victory in the 29th over.

The result gives Bradshaw more than a good chance to escape the drop, which for most of the season had appeared unlikely.

Down in the Second Division, promotion is now virtually in the bag for Oakworth, whose main goal now is to try and overtake leaders Sowerby St Peter’s, who currently sit 10 points ahead of them.

Oakworth damaged Old Town’s own promotion hopes by securing a fine 68-run home win at Wide Lane.

Oakworth batted first and scored 226-7 as Joel Gallagher (81) and Noah Thirkill (51) led the scoring chart, Muhammad Nabeel taking 4-44.

Only Sagher Shaheen (65) and Nabeel (31) made any real impression as Town replied, eight batters failing to reach double figures in their 158 all out.

Jake Keslinke was outstanding with the ball in Oakworth’s victory, taking 4-8 from his seven overs.

Cullingworth would have joined Oakworth in the promotion spots had they won, but they were outplayed by a superior St Peter’s side, eventually losing by six wickets.

The game was played at Stainland Cricket Club, as Cullingworth could not host at their own ground due to it being prepared for their Crickfest the following day.

The visitors took advantage of the ‘hosts’ being on unfamiliar territory, bowling out their opposition for 146, opener Michael Dennison (70) scoring nearly half of that total.

On the bowling front it was a day to remember for Patrick Lennon, who registered a career-best 7-33.

St Peter’s needed just short of 43 overs to post the win, with Hayden Bruce (54no) and Ryan Brook (48) top-scoring in a winning 148-4.