Aire-Wharfe: Burley are top after big hitter rises to challenge

THE appropriately named Joshua Challenger cracked a sensational century as Burley-in-Wharfedale went from challengers to leaders at the top of the Aire Wharfe League with just three games to go, writes LEE SOBOT.
Joshua Challenger. PIC: Steve RidingJoshua Challenger. PIC: Steve Riding
Joshua Challenger. PIC: Steve Riding

Burley have been chasing leaders Otley throughout the season but Otley’s second loss in a row at the hands of third-bottom Pool allowed Burley to claim top spot with victory at fourth-placed Rawdon.

Yet matters looked grim for Burley who were struggling at 96-8 at Rawdon until the introduction of no9 batsman Challenger who proceeded to blast a knock of 100 from just 67 balls which included seven sixes and 11 fours.

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After the earlier efforts of Sam Fox (24), Daniel Revis (21) and Nicky Bullock (21), Challenger’s charge hauled Burley to 203 despite the return of Jake Hodges (4-55) with Challenger then taking two wickets including opener George Myers as Rawdon were skittled for 161.

North Leeds' George Wales. PIC: Steve RidingNorth Leeds' George Wales. PIC: Steve Riding
North Leeds' George Wales. PIC: Steve Riding

Fellow Rawdon opener Henry Scanlan made 51 while Harry Nicholson remained unbeaten on 30 but crucial wickets from Fox (3-28) helped win the day for Burley.

Otley elected to field at Pool who were bowled out for 126 as Chris Thompson snared 6-34 in addition to Nathan Goldthorp’s 3-17 with Goldthorp claiming both skipper Charlie Bell (35) and Will Carter (32).

Otley, though, were then sent packing for just 103 as James Rosewarne (6-41) and David Amos (4-60) cleaned up between them with the 24 from James Davies the best it got for Otley who are now second and two points behind Burley.

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North Leeds moved third but still 53 points behind Otley after a 69-run success at second-bottom Guiseley who are 43 points off safety.

Guiseley bowler, Harry Naylor. PIC: Steve RidingGuiseley bowler, Harry Naylor. PIC: Steve Riding
Guiseley bowler, Harry Naylor. PIC: Steve Riding

Dominic Cowley proved the star of the North Leeds innings as his unbeaten 76 together with Callum Carson’s 31 and Farham Khan’s 34 guided his side to 201-9 in the face of Damon Reeve (4-55) and Chris Wain (3-69).

Barry Singleton (4-25) and Aftab Karim (3-46) then got to work as Guiseley were dismissed for 132 with opener and captain James Thistlethwaite proving the most dangerous batsman (36).

Champions Beckwithshaw are another six points behind second-bottom Guiseley after a seven-run reverse at seventh-placed Follifoot.

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Opener Dax Guy’s 29 was the best it got for Beckwithshaw who were dismissed for 129 as Yasar Ali (3-32) and Paul Angove (3-3) caused problems.

After opener Angove’s contribution of 27, an unbeaten 52 from Matthew Williams took Follifoot to 130-3.

Bilton moved up to ninth with a 78-run win at home to eighth-placed Horsforth as Lewis Mallinson (52) and Siraj Hussian (46) led Bilton to 186 before Mustahsan Ali Shah’s 5-33 helped knock down Horsforth for 108 all out.

Adel climbed to fifth with a four-wicket verdict at home to Ilkley who dropped to sixth. Ilkley’s Robert Spivey hit 47 of his side’s 158 but Adel overhauled at 159-6 led by Griffin Lea’s unbeaten 48.

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