Burley are backing up their form team status

'We're definitely the form team,' admitted Burley-in-Wharfedale captain Richard Brook after his team beat North Leeds at the weekend to go third in the Aire-Wharfe League table.
Patrick Dixon goes on the attack.Patrick Dixon goes on the attack.
Patrick Dixon goes on the attack.

Poor weather once again affected the league with games from both Division One and Two succumbing and many others being shortened.

In Division One, two in-form teams in Burley and North Leeds faced off in a match which was shortened to a 40 overs match. Burley posted 213-5 with Ed Brown top-scoring with 81 not out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In reply, North Leeds never really got close as they saw out their overs, finishing on 164-8. Abbas Ahmed impressed with the ball for Burley taking 4-41.

Burley captain, Brook, feels his team are right back in the mix to challenge for the title.

“After a slow start to the season we’ve now won seven or eight games on the trot including the cup so we’re definitely the form team in the league.

“And it will come down to the second half of the season against Otley and Beckwithshaw, and if we perform well we’ve got a good chance.

“We always are aiming to win the league and cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“For the last 10 years we’ve been very consistent and kept a consistent team.

“Otley are still the team to beat but I think everyone else would agree that we are the most consistent.

“The run we’ve been on of late means we’re right in the mix now to challenge for both the league and cup.”

Elsewhere in Division One, Ilkley pulled off a surprise win over high-flyers Beckwithshaw as they chased down 160 in a 21 overs match to secure a two-wicket victory. The result leaves Beckwithshaw level on points with Otley at the summit of Division One after Otley’s fixture with Pool was abandoned.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Horsforth have climbed to fourth after they won by five runs away at Collingham. After posting a total of 153 all out, Horsforth managed to bowl out the home side thanks to a 5-50 from Ryan Sharrocks with Collingham just short of their target.

There was also a win for Bilton as they defeated Rawdon by six wickets. Bilton captain Vic Craven led the batting, scoring 93.

The bottom two sides met and it was bottom-of-the-table Kirkstall Educational who secured an important win as they defeated fellow strugglers Steeton by 21-runs.

Paul Malone took a match-winning 5-57.

Next up in Division One Beckwithshaw host strugglers Pool, whilst title rivals Otley host Collingham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Burley have a chance to continue their fine from as they host Rawdon, and there’s an intriguing tie between Horsforth and North Leeds, who meet at King George’s Playing Field.

Division Two saw a clash at the top of the table as Colton Institute hosted Guiseley.

It was the home side that came out on top after Guiseley were skittled out for just 61 as they chased a target of 151.

The result means that Colton now lead by five points. Knaresborough remain in touching distance of the leaders as they secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Thackley.

Adel defeated Ben Rhydding in a mid-table clash by 19-runs, and Follifoot beat Skipton by 20-runs after setting a target of 207.