Wetherby League: Scarcroft scuppered by league's new rules

Despite requiring just two wickets for victory with 72 runs to play with, Scarcroft went down to defeat at home to Hillam and Monk Fryston when rain brought an early end to the fixture.

Wetherby League rules state the team batting second must score at a higher run rate than averaged over the first innings when games are not played over the same number of overs.

Hillam scored above the 4.5 average run rate of Scarcroft’s 207 and reached 135-8 in 29 overs to collect a third win of the season.

Bilal Shahid (5-24) and Wahab Hussain (56) both stood out for Scarcroft.

Barwick-in-Elmet, Garforth Parish Church and Sicklinghall were other beneficiaries of the rain rules, which were introduced at the start of the 2016 season.

However, Kirk Deighton (119-3) had no such trouble in thrashing Old Leodiensians (115) by seven wickets. Scott Jaffray took three wickets and scored 21 not out, while Gavin Mills added 45 in Deighton’s ninth win of the summer.

Brothers Andy and Martin Wood sped Sicklinghall (139-1) to a run-rate victory over Church Fenton (237-9), both scoring half centuries.

Martin capped a good performance with the ball as he totalled 56 while Andy remained unbeaten until the weather rolled in on 62 not out.

Connor Williams was unlucky to be on the losing side after scoring 106.

Barwick were at 116-4 in reply to bowling St Chad’s Broomfield out for 155 as they secured six points.

Garforth had only two wickets remaining as they held out to secure a win over Shadwell. James Baldwin’s 53 proved crucial as Garforth’s run rate of 3.93 in 130-8 bettered Shadwell’s 176 all out and 3.91.

Bilton-in-Ainsty (55-4) did not reach the 20-over threshold against South Milford as the teams shared one point apiece.

Tim Lambert had taken five wickets as South Milford were bowled out for 165.

In Division Two, Rufforth produced a ruthless display against St Chad’s A to extend their winning run to ten games.

From 55-1 at drinks, St Chad’s lost nine wickets for just 15 runs as Jack Doyle (5-17) and Jim Ledgeway (4-15) hit their straps.

Despite a top-order collapse, Ben Lodge’s 27 not out ensured victory went to the home team.

Ledsham (143-6) remain 14 points behind the leaders after securing six points at home to Scholes (142-10). Andy Kelly’s 4-32 set the ball rolling before Jonny Smales and Andy Baron both scoted 33 in a four-wicket win.

At the bottom, Garforth A remain without a win after Meanwood chased down a 210 target, recording only their second win in the process.

Rob Guest’s unbeaten 79 got Meanwood out of trouble as they secured a five-wicket win.

Rain ruined the rest of the division’s games as Long Marston (54-2) were stopped at Sherburn Eversley (148-10. Saxton (33-4) were saved against Kirk Hammerton (190-10) and Headingley (193-10) were denied against Thorner Mexborough (40-3).

In Division Three, Crossgates and Crompark remain locked together at the top with seven wins to their name.

Crossgates eased past Scarcroft A (113-9) by seven wickets while Crompark were equally effective in chasing down 146 at Barwick-in-Elmet A (145-7).