Theakston Nidderdale Cricket League – all to play for with two games to go

Only two games remain of the season and Hampsthwaite are still in poll position to take the Division 1 title for the first time in 60 years. Another victory on Saturday this time over title rivals Dacre Banks by 55 runs, sees them still at the top but not out of sight yet. Mathematically speaking, the title could also go to Alne, Dacre Banks or Blubberhouses too. Batting first, Hampsthwaite posted 197-9 with Lenny McKittrick (60) and Richard Barrett (40*) showing class with the bat. Steve Lawrence took 4-38. Dacre were then bowled out for 142 thanks to McKittrick again taking 3-27 and Andrew Johnson 3-43.

Currently in second place are Alne but they must play Dacre Banks this Saturday, which could end Dacre’s title aspirations. Victory by 28 runs over struggling Burton Leonard keeps the dream alive forAlne. Batting first, Alne made 244-3 with Stuart Morley (80) and Pete Car (60) putting on 143 for the second wicket. Tom Ryder then chipped in with 53*. Sam Crompton took 2-32 and Neil Blaken 2-32. In reply Burton were bowled out for 216 with batting contributions by Liam Ford (50), Tom Rowley (44) and John Moorhouse (41). It was not enough as Brad Scott took 4-40 and Stuart Morley 3-57. Burton face a nightmare last 2 games against Hampsthwaite and Blubberhouses, both must win games to ensure Division 1 cricket for 2013.

Pannal are the surprise relegation candidates this year. They face Spofforth and Ouseburn over the next 2 weeks, with all 3 clubs in danger of the drop. Pannal welcomed Blubberhouses on Saturday and batting first posed 72 all out. Dawood Waqas took 5-13 off 12 overs and Mark Mceneaney 3-20. Steve Wilkinson (47) and Bill Davies (21) got ‘Houses nearly there with an opening stand of 63. Blubberhouses won by 8 wickets.

Will Wray’s men were celebrating “safety” after a win over Spofforth by 15 runs. Bishop Thornton posted 177-6 and Andrew Cullen made 82. James Roberts took 4-33 for Spoff. In reply, Spofforth looked good at the top of the order with Tom Clark batting his way into some runs with 50 and Ben Nethersole making 34. Then came the collapse and the end on 163 all out. Can Spofforth hold on to their Division 1 status with games against Pannal and Killinghall to come?

Goldsbrough continue their late season charge with another win, this time at the hands of Killinghall. ‘Hall made 142-7, Matthew Williams with 33. The “big man”, Dave Cummings couldn’t get going this week but Ben Mackrill (39*) and Stewart Cummings (40*) saw Goldsborough home with 145-5. Have Goldsborough done enough or have they left it too late?

Ouseburn entertained near neighbours Helperby and took maximum points. The 2012 champions made 163-9 and then bowled Helperby out for just 95.

In Division 2, Masham are crowned Champions and return to the top flight of Nidderdale cricket at the first time of asking but were beaten by Sharow this week. Aussie Michael Rees was absent “saying goodbye to a friend” this week and this revelation may have upset his colleagues. The Smith brothers dominated the Masham innings. Andrew hitting a solid 51 whilst brother Jez delighted the crowd with a dominating 95* including 8 x4’s and 8 x 6’s. Newstead was the pick of the Sharow bowlers with 2-38. Rob Murray (42) and Ady Monk (62) put on a vital stand of 97 to put Sharow in a good position and despite a mid-order collapse which saw Rob Hill pick up 4-29 it was left to Newstead and Simms to see Sharow home for a good win against the champions. Masham will rue several dropped catches.

Joining Masham in Divison 1 next year is still no closer to being decided. Wins for Bolton Abbey and Newby Hall gives them a shout but Darley and Pateley Bridge in the chasing pack both lost but are still not out of it. Relegation is still a possibility for Raskelf, Ripley, Harrogate Strays, Knaresborough Forest and Studley Royal 2nds .

Bolton Abbey ran out winners against Harrogate Strays by 61 runs. Abbey posted 214-9 as captain Will Lord (62) lead from the front supported by matching hair and boots, Ben Parkinson (51) and Jim Tiffany (31). Strays hung on for a point. Josh North (35) and Marcus Fox (33) the stand out batters.

Newby Hall pushed Darley hard and won by 7 wickets. Darley batted first and were dismissed for just 80. Shane Griffin 4-23 and Andy Robsinon 3-13 did the damage with the ball. Newby then eased to victory and the pub was in sight well before 5 o’clock after another knock from David Kelly (35).

Knaresborough Forest upset Pateley Bridge’s charge for the top flight with a win by 4 wickets. Pateley batted first and scored 177-7. Colin Chadwick (76) and Mile Sutton (36). Joel Ainsley took 3-29 and Stewart Pyke 3-43. Forest then put on 58 for the first wicket with Jack Martin (39) and Matt Parker (39) setting things up nicely. David Skaith then made 43. Colin Chadwick also took 3-22.

Raskelf were again on the receiving end of things, this time away at Birstwith. Jonny Milward hit 137 not out and Dan Riey made 62 to post 302-4. Raskelf were eventually bowled out for 233. Matthew Goddard (81) and Robert Sigsworth (40). George Hirst took 5-62 and Pete Hardistry 3-51. From a difficult start to the season, Birstwith are sure of Division 2 next year.

Studley Royal 2nds made 95-9 against Ripley, but Ripley were then bowled out for just 65. Ripley in trouble at the bottom and with a massive game against bottom side Raskelf this week and Harrogate Strays in the final game, it is still very much all to play for.

2012 League Results Saturday 1 September 2012

Division 1: *Bishop Thornton 177-6 (A Cullen 82;J Roberts 4-34), Spofforth 163 (T Clark 50, B Nethersole 34; A Cullen 4-22); *Ouseburn 163-9 ( J Bryant 5; M Cavanagh 3-32), Helperby 95 ( T Parker 3-12); *Pannal 72 (M Mceneaney 3-20 D Waqas 5-13); Blubberhouses 73-2 (S Wilkinson 47*), Alne 244-4 (S Morley 80 P Carr 60 T Rider 53); Burton Leonard 216 (L Ford 50 T Rowlay 44, B Scott 4-40 S Morley 3-57); Hampsthwaite 197-8 (L McKittrick 60, R Barrett 40*; S Lawrence 4-38), *Dacre Banks 142 (M Q Khan 41*, L McKittrick 3-27 A Johnson 3-43); *Killinghall 142-7 (M Williams 33), Goldsborough 145-5 (B Mackrill 39* S Cummings 40*),

Division 2: *Pateley Bridge 177-6 (C Chadwick 76* M Sutton 36; J Ainsley 3-29 S Pyke 3-43), Knaresborough Forest 178-4 (J Martin 39 M Parker 39 D Skaith 43; C Chadwick 3-22); *Birstwith 302-4 (J Millward 137* D Riley 62 K Barnes 32*), Raskelf 233 (M Goddard 81, R Sigsworth 40:,G Hirst 4-62 P Hardisty 3-51); *Bolton Abbey 214-9 (W Lord 62, Ben Parkinson 51, J Tiffany 31), Harrogate Strays 143-9 ( J North 35, M Fox, 33); Darley 80 (S Griffin 4-23 A Robinson 3-3). *Newby Hall 82-3 (D Kelly 35); Masham 199-7 (A Smith 51, J Smith 95*), *Sharow 200-7 (R Murray 42 A Monk 62: R Hill 4-29),

Division 3: *Kirkby Malzeard 168-8, WestTanfield 132-9; *Burnt Yates 133-7, Pannal 2nds 75; Killinghall 68-8, *Galphay & Winksley 69-0; Lofthouse 72,*Hampsthwaite 73-6; Rainton 121-7, *Markington* 124-4,

Division 4: *Bishop Monkton 174-3, Newby Hall 2nds 63; *Ripon 74, Birstwith 75-1; North Stainley 188-4. *Thornton le Moor 91; Scotton 212-8, *Staveley 137; Thornton Watlass 65, *Masham 66-2,

Division 5: *Boroughbiridge 57, Studley Royal 59-3; *Harrogate 163-8, Crakehall 122; *Goldsborough 220-8, Sharow 157; *Harrogate 163-8, Crakehall 122; Pateley Bridge 90., *Spofforth 91-2; Ripley 100, *Alne101-3,

Division 6: Bolton Abbey 190-5, *Blubberhouses 191-3; Bishop Thornton 56, *Knaresborough Forest 57-2; Northallerton Wolves 35, *Raskelf 36-1; *Rainton 111, Wath and Melmerby 112-1; Spennithorne 180-6, *Glasshouses 182-1,

Division 7: *Sessay 3rds 117-0. Pannal 116- 9; Marton cum Grafton 103- 9 *Studley Royal 106- 7; *Ouseburn 86. Dacre Banks 87-3; Ripley 123-9, *Newton le Willows 125-2,

Division 8: *Newby Hall 122. Killinghall 93; Burton Leonard 127- 7. *Middleham 128-7; Hampstwaite 95,*Knaresborough Forest 96-7.