A SPLENDID bowling and fielding display by the Airedale and Wharfedale League X1 saw them gain revenge over the Central Yorkshire League who had beaten them by six wickets in the previous year's Yorkshire Leagues knock-Out Competition.

In the first round match played at Alwoodley on Sunday a wicket made difficult by the dreadful weather conditions greeted the Airedale and Wharfedale League side and they responded with a very watchful start being 18-1 after 15 overs.

Guiseley's Mark Ross was the first wicket to fall as he was caught for three. Bilton's Steve Lawrence and Guiseley's Phil Pickles steadied things with Lawrence playing the major role with a knock of 48. He and Pickles accelerated the score and at 108-2 with 14 overs left a very good total seemed to be on the cards.

However, both were out and with Hall Park's Andrew Doidge and Rawdon's Robert Atkinson going cheaply the score soon became 120-6.

Skipton's Sean Atkinson contributed a good 33 and the innings closed on 165 as N Parkinson (3-13) and J McHale (3-35) hit home.

The Central Yorkshire innings never got going and wickets fell at regular intervals. Some splendid catching and field placing kept the pressure on the batters at all times and they proceeded to get themselves out to rash shots being dismissed for 117 giving Airedale and Wharfedale a win by 48 runs.

Mark Ross cleaned up with 3-13 while Robert Atkinson, Neil Spragg and Mal Brittain each picked up two wickets.

Airedale and Wharfedale.- M Ross c Orrell b Battye 3, S Lawrence c and b Blakeley 48, P Pickles c Hargreaves b Battye 17, S Atkinson c Pickford b McHale 33, A Doidge c Hargreaves b McHale 1, R Atkinson b McHale 5, N Spragg b Parkinson 15, S Thompson c Harbreaves b Parkinson 11, M O'Grady b Parkinson 4, J Simpson not out 6, M Brittain run out 6; x 16; ttl. 165.

Bowling: N Parkinson 8-1-13-3; D Battye 10-6-16-2; P Oldham 10-1-24-0; J Maltman 4-0-30-0; P Blakeley 10-0-36-1; J McHale 8-0-35-3.

Central Yorkshire.- P Blakeley b Spragg 14, N Hargreaves c R Atkinson b Simpson 8, P Oldham c O'Grady b R Atkinson 7, T Orrell c Ross b Spragg 11, P Pickford st Thompson b R Atkinson 19, N Lockett b Brittain 3, A Storr c Pickles b Brittain 18, J McHale c Lawrence b Ross 9, D Battye c S Atkinson b Ross 2, N Parkinson not out 12, J Maltman lbw Ross 9; x 5; ttl. 117.

Bowling: J Simpson 10-3-14-1; N Spragg 10-0-41-2; R Atkinson 10-4-14-2; M Brittain 10-3-19-2; A Doidge 5-0-13-0'; M Ross 4.3-1-13-3.

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