CULLINGWORTH are just one point off top spot in Halifax League Division One after a 48-run win over Stones.

Ben Burkill has consistently proved his own ability and took his run tally to 986 for the season with another 58 as the hosts posted 245-6.

The Welch brothers, Steve and Chris, took the game away from Stones in the first half with 79 and 74no respectively.

Stones' valiant resistance found a champion in Kevin O’Rourke, who battled his way to 102 with five fours and eight sixes before succumbing to Steve Welch (3-34).

Ralph Bownas provided some more support lower down the order with 46 but it ended in vain as they finished their innings on 197, with Cullingworth eyeing a place in the top flight for the first time.

Oxenhope can't seem to get out of their losing streak in the Premier Division as they went down by five wickets at Mytholmroyd.

The visitors gained maximum batting points in making 179-5 in a reduced 32-over-a-side game. Josh Fleetwood (81) and Joseph Ousey (60) were their outstanding performers.

Cup finalists Mytholmroyd are a different proposition to the team that narrowly avoided the drop in 2016, and in Jack Earle (821 runs this season) they have an opening batter in a rich vein of form. Earle laid the foundations of the reply with 49 before Adie Gawthorpe smashed 60 to bring the home side the win in just 22 overs.

Joel Fothergill was the pick of the bowlers with 2-36 while Ousey claimed the fielding point, helped by an outstanding catch.