Wetherby League: Taltented teen Powell drags league leaders out of a hole

Will Powell showed he was a star of the future as he dug Wetherby League leaders Kirk Deighton out of a hole to secure a four-wicket victory over St Chad's Broomfield.
Will PowellWill Powell
Will Powell

Deighton were staring down the barrel at 80-6 but Under 15s player Powell (35no) and captain Richard Ward (38no) kept their composure with measured innings to surpass Chad’s total of 160.

Powell had earlier taken figures of 2-26 while Ward snared three wickets as Chad’s made a modest total. Howard Johnson was the only batsman to score well with 57.

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Deighton remain nine points above title rivals Scarcroft, who went past Sicklinghall with relative comfort. Bilal Shahid top-scored with 75 as Scarcroft amassed 209-9 on their travels, despite 4-31 from league chairman Zai Ali. Sicklinghall’s danger hitters were removed early and the hosts slumped to 116 all out with Ben Wilkinson (3-22) and Anas Imtiaz (3-33) both enjoying success.

Rob Hildreth took full advantage of his promotion to the top of Bilton-in-Ainsty’s order as he smashed 89 to steer his side to a victorious 224 against Old Leos.

Leos left a sting in their tail, however, by denying high flying Bilton all six points as wicketkeeper Stuart Cobbett batted for the majority of the innings for 87.

South Milford added to bottom side Church Fenton’s woes with a 96-run triumph away from home.

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Milford amassed 198-8 before bowling the home club out for just 102. Dan White was the clear man of the match with 73 and four wickets for Milford. Brother Ben White also took figures of 3-8.

Shadwell gained a crucial victory in their fight to avoid relegation in a pulsating clash at Hillam and Monk Fryston.

Number 10 Joe Burke made a pivotal innings of 33 late in the day to boost Shadwell up to 178.

The bowler then claimed four wickets as Hillam throw away their chance of victory, despite a late contribution from Williams Vaks (38 and 3-53), and fell 12 runs short.

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Nick Swales (65) and Lee Storey (50) both made early half centuries as Barwick-in-Elmet (229-9) powered past Garforth Parish Church by 72 runs.

Barwick were as impressive with the ball with Andrew Styan and Daniel Fitzpatrick both claiming four wickets. James Stockton propped up Garforth’s losing reply with 53.

Eight games remain in the Wetherby League calendar and Rufforth require a maximum of four six-point wins to secure their status in Division One next season.

The unbeaten league leaders are 15 points clear at the top and a further 10 inside the promotion zone after thrashing Kirk Hammerton by nine wickets.

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Phil Charlton (75no), Ben Lodge (42) and Angus Campbell (42no) steered Rufforth home after Jim Ledgeway had taken 6-33 to bowl Kirk out for 169.

Tom Main had put up resistance in Kirk’s first innings with 65 but Rufforth dug deep to maintain their record of bowling every team out that they have played.

Second-placed Ledsham visit the leaders on Saturday and head to York in prime form after hammering Meanwood by eight wickets.

The returning Adam Rothera took 6-30 to bowl Meanwood out for 60, with Josh Ware (26no) and Andy Baron (21no) seeing Ledsham home.

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Headingley Bramhope stayed third after eclipsing Long Marston’s 179-9 with three wickets in hand.

Matt Williams (47) and Dev Kumar (44) scored heavily early to set Headingley on their way to 182-7.

Former Division One side Scholes have hit their stride lately and they smashed Thorner Mexborough by 133 runs to move up to fifth.

Sultan Mehmood (76), Danny Whitaker (56) and James Biscombe (52no) made hay as Scholes posted 248-6, while Thorner crumbled for 115.

Elsewhere, Saxton (212-8) climbed above Sherburn Eversley (158ao) following a 54-run win, while St Chad’s A (169ao) took six points against Garforth Parish Church (99ao).