With a number of their key players departing after last season, it has taken Thackley’s new-look side a while to settle. But they finally got their first Aire-Wharfe League win on Monday – and they did it in style.
Jack Young (4-25) and Andrew Stothart (3-0) skittled Harden for 64 and Luke Holroyd hit an unbeaten 30 in 35 balls to clinch the victory and lift Thackley off the bottom of Division Two at the expense of their opponents.
Gareth Wilkinson (37no) hit a six which not only clinched Tong Park Esholt’s eight-wicket win at Bolton Villa but also claimed a second batting bonus point.
Will Murray picked up 4-42 as Villas were restricted to 145, in which Sam Lawrence made 45. But there was little doubt about the outcome once Danny Groom (73no) and Wilkinson got together.
Michael Abbott hit 58 as Green Lane chased Adel’s 220-8 but Lane were still well short of the target on 177-9 at the close.
Skipton’s good early-season form deserted them as they were dismissed for 83 in the derby against Upper Wharfedale, who eased home without losing a wicket.
Otley extended their lead at the top of Division One by taking full bonus points in crushing Pool.
Jamie Pickering (63) and James Davies (51) put on 94 for the fourth wicket in Otley’s 229-9 before their attack dismissed the visitors for 72.
Meanwhile, second-placed Kirkstall were unable to claim any batting bonus, needing only 62 to beat Collingham by nine wickets, giving Otley a ten-point lead at the top.
It also allowed third-placed Steeton to move within a point of Kirkstall after they picked up 19 points in beating Ilkley.
Andrew Foulds (61) and John Akrigg (34) provided the backbone of Steeton’s 216-9 with a stand of 76, before skipper Neil Spragg (5-37) led the dismissal of Ilkley for 187.
Nasir Jamal (4-15) an Chris Wain (3-52) limited Rawdon to 147 and Guiseley claimed the four-wicket win thanks to an unbeaten 109 in as many balls from South African Brian Jackson.
A third-wicket stand of 91 between Lewis Bolton (77) and Robbie Oldham (44) proved decisive for Ben Rhydding at Burley.
With Tom Pratt picking up 4-19, they were able to dismiss the home side still 43 runs short of their 185 target.
Hall Park will be grateful they do not have to play neighbours Horsforth again for several weeks after a second humiliation in as many weeks.
Park were still smarting from being skittled out for 26 in the Waddilove Cup but Danny Holah (4-36) and James Carlill (4-25) looked as though they might have given them a chance of revenge in Division Three when they restricted the home side to 154 by taking the last six wickets off 32 balls for the addition of only eight runs.
But once again the Park batting failed dismally and, with Larry Edward taking 5-10 and Mahir Ali 3-3, they only managed 44.
The win took Horsforth to the top of the table above Silsden, who crashed to their first defeat as Illingworth recovered from 44-4 to pass their 169 total with three wickets in hand.
David Britton (44no) and David Healey (45) steered Olicanian past Addingham’s 128 for a three-wicket win, while Calverley’s improving form continued as they beat Woodhouse (152) by four wickets.
Kyle Smith (3-21), Gareth Lee (3-50) and Travis Rio (4-49) bowled out New Rover for 180 but Menston were struggling at 104-7 when rain finally won the day.
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