Wetherby League: Emotional day as leaders Kirk Deighton net victory points

Deighton were rocked by the death of second-team bowler John Smith last week but the league leaders pulled together in his memory to carve out a six-point victory.

New Zealander Scott Jaffray came within one run of an unbeaten century and captain Richard Ward added a well-constructed 67 as Deighton posted 237-6.

In reply, Andy Wood carried his bat for 56 not out but Jaffray did the damage for title-chasing Deighton with 4-28.

The gap at the top extended as third-placed Bilton-in-Ainsty hammered Scarcroft by nine wickets.

Second-placed Scarcroft had no answer to Luke Schumann (4-18) and were skittled for just 77. Rob Hildreth’s measured 41 not out ensured there were no mishaps in Bilton’s chase as they stayed in the title frame and delivered a telling blow on their counterparts.

At the bottom end of the table, Old Leos also landed a weighty punch on relegation rivals Hillam and Monk Fryston.

Three wickets apiece for Tashmail Henry (3-28) and Finton Cohen (3-29) sent Hillam tumbling for just 138. Shayan Siddiqui (52no), Stuart Cobbett (42) and Henry (39no) wrapped up a simple nine-wicket win.

Church Fenton (163-6) have a mountain to climb to beat the drop following a narrow defeat against Shadwell.

Simon Wilman’s 5-47 was in vain as Shadwell (164-8) recorded victory, thanks to Ben Turner’s unbeaten half century.

Captain Gary Bettison scored an impressive century as Barwick-in-Elmet moved clear of fifth-placed South Milford.

Bettison peppered the boundary at Milford’s tiny ground to stay unbeaten up until the interval on 111, with his side totalling a massive 304-6. Peter Causon also chipped in with 58.

Milford’s reply got off to a strong start with Stuart Morley (43) and Ben White (39) at the crease but four wickets apiece for Jake Cullen (4-9) and Andrew Bryant (4-26) gave Barwick a 176-run success.

Defending champions St Chad’s Broomfield, who are joining the Aire-Wharfe League next season, found form to beat Garforth Parish Church by 104 runs.

Howard Johnson (51) and Umar Ishaq (49) shared the big partnership in Chad’s 198-9 and Atiq Khan then took 4-23 to bowl Garforth out for just 94.

Rufforth moved a step closer to sealing Division One cricket next season with a 37-run triumph over their nearest, yet distant rivals Ledsham.

Chris Green scored a half century and took 4-37 as the unbeaten Division Two leaders defended 159 at home, despite losing five batsmen to ducks.

Green claimed the final Ledsham wicket in the final over as Rufforth took six points and stretched their lead to 21 points at the top.

Elsewhere, Headingley (77-4) moved four points behind Ledsham with a simple wix-wicket win over Sherburn Eversley (76ao), thanks to Abid Hussain’s scintillating 6-23.

Ed Rawling (65) and Alan Armitage (53no) helped Long Marston smash their way to 220-5 at St Chad’s A, with the hosts folding for 144 in reply.

Scholes struck up 179-8 against Kirk Hammerton to remain in the promotion race. James Biscombe took 5-23 as Kirk were all out for 100 in response, losing four men to ducks.

Meanwood claimed a fifth win of the season, beating Saxton by 18 runs. Oliver Ozols took 5-60 as Saxton were all out for 148 in reply to 166-8.

Garforth Parish Church came close to a first win but lost out to Thorner Mexborough by one wicket. Jim Shaw and Mohammed Ilyas were the last pair that held its nerve to see Thorner past 140.