OXENHOPE made it three wins in three with a close victory at Great Horton Park Chapel to go top of Halifax League Division One.

Tight opening bowling by the visitors soon resulted in wicket-taking as Robin Cusdin stole the show with 6-33 to dismiss the home side for just 129.

A slightly dodgy start in reply was improved by Stuart Jackson with 36 and Lewis Hopkinson carried his bat for 35 to secure all 12 points as Oxenhope won by five wickets.

Division Two leaders Cullingworth successfully defended their 216-9 at Upper Hopton to win by 12 runs.

Cullingworth lost three early wickets on their way to 258-9, with Will Rankin (84), Graham Rankin (66) and Chris Welch (39) leading the revival. Rain reduced that total but Upper Hopton could only manage 204-6 off their 38 overs.

Denholme Clough stay second after a far-easier win at third-placed Shelf, for whom Leigh Butterfield's 64 contained a mighty ten sixes.

Clough made 265-9 (Waqas Ali 80, Imran Aslam 62, Neil Armitage 4-63), Shelf replying with 199 (Waqas Ali 4-47, Tanweer Aslam 3-33).

The weather was the ultimate winner in Oxenhope II's home match with Stones II but not before the hosts had amassed a huge total of 285-5.

Oxenhope were in trouble early as three quick wickets fell but Eddie Burke (36) steadied the ship along with Luke Fleetwood, who went on to score 88.

After Burke's departure, Fleetwood was joined by Jacob Ashbrook, who scored an unbeaten 80, while Jack Barker continued his good form with 49 not out in quick time before the match was abandoned.