Booth maintained their place at the top of the table by trouncing bottom placed Bradshaw. However, they could only muster seven points – something that may cost their title aspirations dear - as Bradshaw’s negative approach raised further questions about the league’s points’ scoring system.

Put into bat Bradshaw were soon in trouble as Shierson was caught and bowled by the lively Richard Laycock, who then also clean bowled Marris for 15.

At the other end came valuable support by the returning Nigel Horsfall, showing glimpses of his best form with a frugal opening spell that was full of controlled aggression.

Horsfall claimed the key wicket of dangerman Simon Collins plumb lbw for 3, and then uprooted Rauf’s off pole to leave the listless Bradshaw in deep water.

Bradshaw, a forlorn shadow of the side that won the league in 2006 had no answer to Booth’s miserly bowling and when captain Wayne Cotton holed-out off spin-king Ian Sharkey, their lengthy tail lay prone.

However, it was here that Bradshaw decided to shut up shop and, barely a third of the way through, as a contest the game was over.

With batsmen refusing to play shots of any description, Booth did their utmost to prise what wickets they could and at nine down were agonisingly close to the full ten. But Beaumont and Shannon held on like limpets and the last wicket just wouldn’t fall.

The game was so flat that Booth even presented Bradshaw with four byes to get the total over a hundred so they could chase the extra batting point.

In reply Booth won at a canter. Jim Mosley rode some early luck but then cracked on to an undefeated 60. He and sidekick Brown compiled their third consecutive century opening stand and all was done for half-past six.

Triangle’s clash with Booth in two weeks time could be a real cracker - not to mention a title decider.

Mytholmroyd held their nerve to beat Old Crossleyans by six runs.

Steve Senior, 37, and Zahid Mahmood, 22, were the only ones in ‘Royd’s top order to come to terms with tricky conditions.

Kristian Halstead, 19, along with Zeb Mahmood and Peter Senior – 20 apiece – helped them reach 148.

Gideon Foster, 2 for 27 from 14 overs, and Jack Earle, 3 for 50, then struck early but a fourth wicket partnership between Sykes, 38, and opener Rayner, 21, threatened to turn the game on its head.,

Earle removed the stubborn both and Zeb Mahmood then weighed in with a useful 3 for 28 burst as the home side held on.

In Division one rain probably cost Luddenden Foot the chance of victory as their total of 200-8 was reduced to a target of 148 - which visitors Thornton found much more to their liking, winning by three wickets.

Karl Whipp’s 59 was the mainstay of a solid batting performance which also saw Greg Osbourne, 30no, add useful runs at the tail.

Osbourne and Ian Nicholson.