Calverley up as Steeton miss out

11:21am Tuesday 16th September 2008

Calverley pulled off the seemingly impossible as they clinched promotion from DIVISION TWO with a five-wicket win over Tong Park on a dramatic last day of the Aire-Wharfe League season.

Having languished in the bottom half of the table until the end of July, Basil King’s side picked up 27 points from the last six games they played.

Their tally was boosted by six points when a loss to Knaresborough was one of five of that club’s which were reversed for over-bowling 18-year-old Dale Tormey.

It still required Steeton to get no more than a point against Follifoot but when news came through that their rivals had lost, celebrations could begin at Victoria Park.

Having restricted Tong Park to 109 for seven, Calverley did not have it all their own way in reply as Mick Scott (4-26) created some nervy moments but Shane Franklin (38) and Shahid Bashir (34no) saw them home.

Meanwhile, champions Silsden rounded off their first title with a satisfying six-wicket win over Knaresborough, the side they have been locked against all season.

Shaheel Nadeem (39) and Yassir Ali (65no) both smashed five sixes as they put on 71 for the third wicket in a successful chase of Knaresborough’s 116 for three.

Bernard Hughes (5-41) and Richard Machell (4-37) helped Olicanian to a draw at Bardsey, while an opening stand of 102 between Greg Topp (55) and Neil Kettle (54) was the highlight of Harden’s draw with New Rover.

Guiseley captain David Pennett produced a season’s best of eight for 35 as relegated Bilton were reduced to 115 for nine in DIVISION ONE.

But Ali Long (31) and Dean Russ (32no) saw Guiseley to a comfortable victory, although they had to settle for a creditable second place in their first season back in the top flight.

Rawdon, who came up with Guiseley a year ago and were among the challengers for much of the season, will reflect on poor home form as their undoing.

Going into the match against Kirkstall, they had just one home victory to their name and, despite a half-century from Steven Duckworth, their total of 148 for nine never looked to be enough.

Duckworth (3-34) and Dennis Rock (3-19) unsettled Kirkstall but opener Steve Harrison (68no) made sure the visitors, who only entered the league eight years ago, won by four wickets to pick up their second championship in three years.

Otley’s three-match winning run was ended when Adel passed their 164 for seven with two wickets to spare, while Green Lane went down by 116 runs at Beckwithshaw despite Vivek Mahajan hitting 60 before retiring hurt.

Shane Etherington (5-30) had North Leeds on the ropes but their 106 total turned out to be plenty as Burley lost four wickets for three runs on the way to being skittled out for 68.

Having chased Illingworth all season and been in second place since the first week of June, Thackley finally overtook them by virtue of one more victory, clinching the DIVISION THREE title with six balls remaining.

Mahir Ali (5-64) took his season’s wicket tally past 60 and, with the help of Martin Hanson (3-24), bowled out Illingworth for 130.

Thackley also found runs hard to come by but Micky Birts (47) and Leon Harber (42) did enough to make sure of the six points.

It is going to be a long winter for Ilkley bowler Andrew Wheeler, who must wait for the first match of next season to see if he can complete a hat-trick.

Wheeler (2-10) and Richard Harrison, whose five for 41 took him past 40 wickets for the season, bowled out Alwoodley for 88 in reply to Ilkley’s 197 for eight.

That had been give the perfect platform when Rory Croom (50) and Nick Cockcroft (55) matched the visitors’ score in their opening stand.

It has been a disappointing season for the two Horsforth clubs after relegation and both concluded in defeat.

David Main was unbeaten on 44 as Horsforth struggled to just 79 in reply to Woodhouse’s 209 for four.

Meanwhile, Menston’s overseas star Abe Smith took seven for 18 in a 15-over spell to dismiss Hall Park for 65.

With Nadeem Hanif (5-29) and Craig Hobson (3-25) having them on the back foot, Menston looked set for defeat at 48 for nine but the last pair just managed to clinch the win that lifted them into the top half of the table.

Bolton Villas’ hopes of finishing in third place were dashed in a low-scoring match against Ben Rhydding.

Chris Spivey (6-30) and Stan Lawrence (4-37) bowled out Ben Rhydding for 118 but the Villas batting then collapsed against the attack of Nick Smith (6-36) and Alex Miller (4-43) and they were still 22 runs short when their last wicket fell.

Addingham’s match with Skipton was called off, leaving them bottom.

2008 ROLL OF HONOUR Division One: Champions – Kirkstall; runners-up – Guiseley; relegated – Bilton and Pool.

Division Two: Champions – Silsden; runners-up – Calverley; relegated – Olicanian and New Rover.

Division Three: Champions – Thackley; runners-up – Illingworth; re-election – Addingham and Alwoodley.