Simon Taylor’s men know they will clinch the title if they win five of their remaining eight fixtures, and will be looking to edge closer to the crown tomorrow when they travel to lowly Kippax (1.30pm start).

Spofforth sit 21 points ahead of nearest rivals KIRK DEIGHTON after both sides picked up two points in games abandoned last weekend.

Taylor’s charges are also on the hunt for a magnificent double with the semi-final of the Fred Fleetwood Cup at St Chad’s Broomfield just nine days away.

Great Preston moved into third after beating Kippax by seven wickets, while SHADWELL dropped a place to fourth after losing to Church Fenton.

Spofforth, seen by many as champions-elect, had made 185-8 against Barwick in Elmet before the skies opened.

Overseas batsman Jack Joslin scored 32, with James Roberts adding 30 and Paul Gannon a further 29.

Kirk Deighton’s bid to catch the table-toppers suffered a similar fate at SCARCROFT after their match was postponed early in the Scarcroft innings.

Stuart Ruddick (61) and Richard Ward (31) had helped Deighton to 182-8, but the teams were back inside shortly after tea with Scarcroft posting 11-0 in reply before the rain began.

Deighton vice-captain Richard Ward said it was unfortunate the teams were brought off just three overs into Scarcroft’s innings, but he said he was confident the team could take maximum points from tomorrow’s match at home to Church Fenton.

He said: “We thought anything around 185 would be a good score in these conditions. But after three overs into their innings it tipped it down, which is disappointing because we were in a strong position.

“But there were positives to take from the match and we will now go into the match with Church Fenton feeling confident.

“Great Preston have been playing some good cricket lately, so we will keep one eye on them, but we will remain focused on our own game and see what happens.”

Elsewhere in Division One, Shadwell could only manage 104 against Church Fenton, and WETHERBY and SICKLINGHALL had to take two points each after their match was cancelled.

Sicklinghall had posted a modest 104 behind Aayan Siddiqui’s 37 with Melbourne allrounder Peter Sweeney taking 4-11 for the visitors.Wetherby were 10-1 when the game was rained off. It leaves both teams caught up in a mid-table dogfight.

Wetherby will host Shadwell tomorrow with Wetherby captain Andy Twitchen saying his team needs to start performing to finish in the top three.

“We were frustrated last weekend because we had a good batting side against Sicklinghall and were favourites at half time,” said Twitchen.

“We have under-achieved this year, but we are still confident of ending the season among the top four. Shadwell have some good bats, but if we play well there is no reason why we shouldn’t beat them.”