FOLLIFOOT are making a bold bid for their first ever Airedale and Wharfedale League title. They moved to within four points of leaders Adel when they gained a convincing eight wickets win over Green Lane. on Saturday.
Lane are also pushing for the Division A title following their promotion last season but they were restricted to 166 for nine as former Westy Indies Test player Derryck Parry (3-63) and M Richards (3-51) got among the wickets.
Former Bradford League players Gareth Lee (33) and Garfield Williams (32) were the mainstays of the Lane innings while overseas player Daniel Rowe made 31 and Barry McCormick (26).
Follifoot knocked off the runs with opener Neil Walker in excellent form with an unbeaten 91 while Paul Angove gave support with 25. This pair shared a second wicket stand of 80. Only Gareth Lee got among the wickets taking two for 35 off 13 overs.
Burley's form is improving and they had the better of a drawn game with leaders Adel. Burley posted 185 for nine with Australian David Pike hitting 42 and Ian Normington taking top billing with 67. Adel almost made it but Richard Harrison (5-56) and Nick Brook (4-64) ensured that victory was not theirs and they finished on 176-9.
Steeton's good run came to an end with a batting collapse against Beckwithshaw. The accuracy of Kevin Lowe and Paul Thompson proved too much for Steeton who were dismissed for 130 in reply to 163-9.
Lowly Menston turned the screw on North Leeds but were unable to forge victory. A superb third wicket stand involving Gary Thompson (83) and Richard Burton (79) assisted Menston to a score of 204 despite the bowling of Nick Richardson who claimed 6-50 off 21 overs. He was well supported by N Else who took 4-59 off nine overs.
North Leeds never looked a real threat as Jason Scott had the upperhand with a return of 3-19. They finished on 157-9 with D Yates hitting 43 and Tim Hollis 34.
Bilton, the reigning champions, are continuing their climb up the table after a disastrous start to the season. They made the highest score of the day with 281-8 against Rawdon. Although Wasim Jan bowled well to take 6-68, including a hat-trick off the last three balls of the innings, Rawdon were left with a mountain to climb.
Former Rawdon player Darren Murray promoted to open the innings was dismissed for six being caught and bowled by Dennis Rock. However Miles Corish with 45 set about restoring their fortunes before Mick Emmerson came in to hammer 105. There was excellent support for him from M Cowell (28) and D Shuffe (42).
Rawdon responded with 131-6 with only Chris Quaife hitting 53 showing any resistence.
Rawdon are hoping for a boost with the return of former skipper Bruce Percy. The former Buckinghamshire Minor Counties player will defy a calf injury to play the majority of the remaining games in a bid to help his club stave off relegation.
Guiseley had the better of a drawn game with Collingham making 175-9 thanks to good knocks from Glen Taylor (63 and Chris Thompson (32). Bev Read claimed 5-57 but was unable to tame these two.Collingham replied with 148-7 with Neil Marshall making 55 but Neil Allitt returned 3-29 to keep his side in control.
Giles selected
for Yorkshire
Ilkley CC all-rounder Anthony Giles, 17, has been selected for the Yorkshire Senior Schools cricket squad.
He will take part in the cricket week at St Peter's School, York, next week.
The Settle High School pupil who lives at Thornton-in-Craven plays junior and senior cricket with the Ilkley club.
Anthony is also a member of the Airedale and Wharfedale League's Joe Lumb Competition side.
His father Paul is a former player with Menston CC.
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