Illingworth closing in on promotion
Illingworth entertain third place New Rover in Division Three of the Aire Wharfe League needing just 12 points in their three remaining matches to secure their return to Division Two. That is a feat they last achieved in 2008 when current Yorkshire player Alex Lees was a member of the side.
The North Halifax side has a cushion of 49 points in front of their North Leeds rivals and are now only 25 points behind leaders Horsforth who they also still have to play.
Batting first last weekend Illingworth punished the Menston attack on the way to racking up 258 for seven.
Opener James Lawton put bat to ball to register a cracking 95 while he and James Whiteley ( 84) produced a stand of 137 for the second wicket to knock the stuffling out of Menston.
The shell-shocked visitors barely got a look in as they stumbled to 74 all out in return with Jamie Moorhouse picking up five for 25 and Luke Brooksby three for 11.
Barkisland were another side to make short work of the opposition as they recorded an eight wicket success over Slaithwaite in the Huddersfield League Premiership.
Alex Scholefield and Matthew Steers tore through the Slaithwaite card, sending them back for a paltry 69.
Scholefield ripped the heart out of the innings with five for 49 with Steers claiming three for five.
Barkisland romped to the finish with Les Brown making 34.
It was a different story for Elland who crashed to a seven wicket defeat at the hands of Hoylandswaine.
Daniel Arms top scored with 61, but Elland were undone by Richard Williamson who took six for 50.
Opener Alex Morris hit 68 in the reply with Sarjinder Pal Singh helping his side to victory with an unbeaten 54.
Cleckheaton need 16 points from their remaining two games to retain the league championship after their 58run win over Lightcliffe.
Left-arm spinner Andrew Deegan was their match-winner with a spell of seven for 22 as Lightcliffe were bowled out for 152 in reply to Cleckheaton’s 210 for seven. Overseas player Suleman Khan made 61 for Lightcliffe.
Cleckheaton’s overseas player Tanzeel Afzal smashed an unbeaten 55 from 26 balls, hitting six sixes and two fours. Mally Nicholson made 37 while off spinner Josh Wheatley took six for 88.
Brighouse made 156 in 34,3 overs as Mohammed Zahid took five for 25 and Nik Cumming (three for 48). Idle were 95 for seven after 31 overs in reply after Johannes Van Ee took four for 15. BRADFORD LEAGUE, Division One: Lightcliffe v New Farnley. Division Two: Brighouse v Baildon. HUDDERSFIELD LEAGUE, Premiership: Barkisland v Kirkburton, Elland v Scholes. CENTRAL YORKSHIRE LEAGUE, Championship: Northowram Fields v East Ardsley. AIRE WHARFE LEAGUE: Illingworth v New Rover. LANCASHIRE CUP, semi- final: Norden v Walsden. SUNDAY HUDDERSFIELD LEAGUE, Premiership: Barkisland v Holmfirth, Elland v Delph & Dobcross. LANCASHIRE LEAGUE: Todmorden v Lowerhouse. CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE: Walsden v Werneth Walsden still have it all to do if they are to catch Central Lancashire League leaders Norden following another frustrating weekend.
The Scott Street side gave themselves hope with victory over Rochdale on Saturday - a victory made all the sweeter with news that Norden had been beaten by Werneth.
However, those hopes evaporated when they suffered a disappointing deefeat at Werneth the following day with Nordon picking up a vic- tory in their game.
There are still five games to go with Walsden still to play Norden.
But club spokeman Kenny Gale believes it is going to be a tall order to overhaul their rivals.
“If we beat them they are still going to have to lose a couple of games and I can’t see that happening,” said Gale.
“They are playing very well and it is a very tough mountain to climb.
“We gained alittle bit of hope on Saturday when we heard they had lost, but then it all changed around again on the Sunday and we found ourselves as we were.”
Gale believes Walsden’s best hope for silverware this season comes in the shape of the Lancahire Cup where they play Norden for a place in the final on Saturday.
“We have the competition in our sights because it represents our best chance of winning something,” said Gale.