OXENHOPE have inflicted only a third defeat of the season on runaway Division One leaders Sowerby St Peter’s in the Foster's Halifax League.

Opener Craig Bartlett, back in the first team after two centuries for the second team, continued his purple patch with 75, and received great support from Liam Dyson (63) and Lewis Hopkinson (60no) as they posted 278-5.

Oxenhope were 65-0 after 15 overs via Bartlett and Stuart Jackson (28) but picked up the pace after that, skipper Josh Tetley's 28 being the final flourish, and the visitors could only reply with 181, with Nathan Storton (3-36), Jackson (3-40) and Jazdev Jheeta (3-62) being among the wickets.

Oxenhope (153 points) appear to be battling for the second promotion place with Northowram Hedge Top, who have the upper hand at the moment on 161 after a comprehensive 204-run win at Bridgeholme.

In Division Two, Denholme Clough’s Adil Hanif took 7-59 at Cullingworth but his efforts were in vain, the visitors falling 66 short of a modest 158 target, with Phil Poole taking 6-25.

Earlier Ben Burkhill (50), Chris Welch (32), Steve Welch (28) and Jon Terry (25no) had led the way for Cullingworth, who are now fifth on 138 points, 18 behind second-placed Old Crossleyans.

Oxenhope second team's push for the Division Two title was derailed at Denholme Clough, the under-strength visitors losing by three wickets.

The dismissal of Brendan Ellison in the first over set the tone and only Luke Fleetwood (27) and Graham Ellis (43) really troubled the scorers in their 114 total as Shoaib Balawar (3-6) and Aamir Riaz (3-37) took advantage of the helpful conditions.

Clough then took 39 overs to reach the target, Balawar making 26 not out as Tom Mawer took 3-50.

Opener Paddy Clark's 63 for Cullingworth seconds was in vain as they lost by nine wickets at Queensbury.