STEETON’S remarkable form has continued in the Aire-Wharfe League Premier Division.
They looked doomed to a swift return to Division One when they only won one of their first 11 matches in the top-flight, but, after their one-wicket victory at Saltaire on Saturday, they have now won their last seven league games.
That incredible run has put them 26 points above a demotion place, albeit they are still third from bottom and not safe just yet.
Saltaire were sent in at Roberts Park and made 135, which was a good recovery from 84-8, as visiting skipper Steve Pearson took 5-36 and Ewan Johnston claimed 3-33.
Steeton seemed set for a routine victory when they were 99-2 after tea, but they then collapsed 128-8, the superb Ben Hemsley the fifth man out, having made 81 off 82 balls.
It then needed the experience of Craig Walton (13no) to guide Steeton to a one-wicket victory, after Adam Hardwick was dismissed with the scores level.
That meant No.11 Johnston had to keep two balls in a tense finale, before Walton struck the winning boundary.
Harden are finally out of the relegation zone in Division One, after winning at home to Follifoot on Saturday.
The visitors scored 248-7 after choosing to bat at Cuckoo’s Nest, Matthew Hogg taking 3-64 and skipper Andy Wear claiming 2-35.
In the face of what seemed like an imposing total, Harden triumphed by seven wickets in the 47th over after a superb partnership between keeper Will Grace (117no) and overseas ace Prathamesh Kumble (69no).
They added 196 unbroken in exactly 35 overs for the fourth wicket in an amazing recovery from 55-3.
On Sunday, in a match that was re-arranged from earlier in the season, Harden lost at home by eight runs to Ilkley, but picked up what could be a vital 10 bonus points.
Ilkley made 244, as Kumble took 4-71, while Hogg and Martin Falkingham managed three wickets apiece.
Harden were then 73-6, but came close thanks to an incredible comeback victory.
First, Martin Walker (64) and Mark Portlock (54) added 111 together, before the latter joined Falkingham (23) in taking Harden within 21 runs of victory.
Sadly for Harden, their final three wickets fell quickly, meaning they fell narrowly short of surpassing the Ilkley total.
Harden are five points above second-from-bottom Bardsey with four matches left.
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