Theakston Nidderdale League: Five-star Wilks helps Goldsborough crush Spofforth

Kev Wilks took five wickets for the cost of just eight runs as Goldsborough claimed a third win of the season when they crushed Spofforth in the top flight of the Theakston Nidderdale League.
Ouseburn's Sam Parker hit a half-century to help his side back to winning waysOuseburn's Sam Parker hit a half-century to help his side back to winning ways
Ouseburn's Sam Parker hit a half-century to help his side back to winning ways

Wilks’ superb spell, allied to 3-24 from Graham Shorter saw the division’s bottom side removed for just 93, Paul Old offering some resistance with 35.

Damon Ive then struck 14 fours on his way to a rapid score of 56, Mike Cockle making 36 as Goldsborough reached 96/0 inside 15 overs to win by 10 wickets.

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Birstwith stay top of the pile after a two-wicket success over West Tansfield in what was a close contest at The Moss.

Adam Hodgkinson (67) and Stuart Clark (66) helped the visitors post 225/6, Pete Hardisty taking 4-35 for the league leaders.

Hardisty then capped an excellent day’s work with 64 not out from just 63 balls after openers Jon Millward (38) and Tom Croston (35) had laid solid foundations, Birstwith reaching their victory target with 10 balls to spare.

Burton Leonard remain hot on the heels of the early pacesetters, courtesy of a comfortable triumph at home to struggling Alne.

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Matt Rangeley’s 53 was the top score, while in-form Dan Thirkell struck 45 as the high-flyers posted 240 all out, Toby Stirke and Rich Henley taking three wickets apiece for the men from the Magic Circle.

In reply, opening bat Tom Jackson made his way to 44 and Chris Beaumont hit 39, but Alne were unable to record a first victory of the campaign as they were dismissed for 181, Tom Stanley helping himself to 4-43.

Ouseburn got back to winning ways with a 61-run success at Darley.

Having lost their previous two fixtures, 2016’s champions showed decent form with the willow in hand, compiling 191 thanks to 58 from Sam Parker and Ben Mackrill’s undefeated 40.

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Michael Beecroft bagged four wickets for Darley, but their run-chase fell well short at 130 all out, despite a second-wicket stand of 99 between Chris Gill (55) and Gary Muff (46) that took them to 109/2.

A stunning five-wicket haul from Chris Morrison (5-19), combined with Mackrill’s 4-51, saw Rob Hainsworth’s troops collapse in spectacular fashion, however, and the away side recorded a much-needed victory.

Knaresborough Forest suffered a fourth defeat on the bounce when they were bowled out for 122 on the road at Helperby.

Opener Aaron Brunner (60) was once again in decent from with the bat, but received little in the way of support from his Forest teammates as Matt Cavanagh took 3-18.

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Dylan Steyn then made 77 not out as Helperby knocked off the required runs for the loss of just one wicket.

Masham’s 200 all out proved sufficient for them to overcome Hampsthwaite (156) away from home.

Dacre Banks are now the only side in Division Two with a 100 per cent record still intact after they ended Studley Royal’s winning start to the season.

Skipper Tim Carrington must have feared the worst, however, after Banks were sent on their way with just 92 on the scoreboard, Jack Bloodgood returning figures of 4-15 and Tom Hixon and Olly Schofield effecting a trio of dismissals each.

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Things looked even bleaker for the side in pole position when Royal made it to 54/2, but fabulous bowling from Mitchell Hearn (5-4) and Waqas Rasheed (4-30) saw them somehow back in the pavilion with only 78 runs to their name.

A fine century from Will Cunningham helped Scotton moved up to third in the league table when they saw off Newby Hall.

The Aussie opener made 100 from 73 balls, hitting 16 fours in his innings while Callum Halliday struck an unbeaten 51 as the visitors got to 199/2 in reply to Hall’s 193/6.

Earlier, Craig Griffin (31 not out) and Steve Robson (30) had scored useful runs for bottom-of-the-pile Newby, Ian Morland and Tom Halliday bagging a brace of wickets apiece for the victors.

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Luke Davis registered back-to-back half-centuries with a knock of 65 for second-placed Blubberhouses in their home victory over Markington.

Opener Davis’ effort was added to by Neil Dickinson (49 not out) and Bash Khan (48) as the hosts posted 264/8 despite four wickets for Graham Bassitt.

Markington’s response never really gained any momentum and they could only make it to 128, Bassitt again carrying his teammates with a top score of 31, while Aamir Rehman grabbed 3-36.

Bishop Thornton got their first win of 2017 when they blew away Burnt Yates.

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Knocks from Ed Paxton (60) and Andrew Derrick (53) laid the foundations for a sizable total of 269/8, Rich Smale capturing 3-51.

Burnt Yates were then skittled for 69, Jason Chyer the only home batsman to offer any resistance with a score of 31.

Rich Priest was the pick of the Bishop Thornton attack with 5-30, while Jack Kellett was not far behind him, returning 4-31.

Wath & Melmerby look to have found their feet in Division Two, securing a second consecutive win when they beat Pateley Bridge by two wickets.

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The Badgers managed to put 235/8 on the board thanks to 72 from Miles Sutton and skipper Joe Preece’s 51, Wath captain Bobby Hilton knocking over four batsmen.

Dan Harris then struck 88 and Mitchell Cross 40 as the visitors got over the line at 239/8, despite the best efforts of Preece who snapped up 5-58.

Ripley got their season up and running when they won by six wickets at Raskelf.

Barry Milburn (45) was the home team’s best performer with the bat in a first innings of 168/9, while Ian Taylor and Colin Frith claimed three scalps each with ball in hand.

James Keane (62) and Michael Sacchetta (43 not out) then impressed during Ripley’s run-chase, getting their side to 170/4 in 40 overs.