Aire-Wharfe League: Classy Lilley puts the skids up Guiseley with quick-fire five

Alex Lilley’s five wicket burst sped Beckwithshaw to a stunning opening day victory in the Airedale-Wharfedale League.
Alex LilleyAlex Lilley
Alex Lilley

The second change bowler, formerly a youth player at Yorkshire, took 5-8 in a 6.4 over spell to bowl the away side out for just 74.

Guiseley had won the toss and decided to bat, but Stuart Hudson and Ishi Hussain got Shaw off to a blinding start to reduce the visitors to 45-5.

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Captain Hudson then introduced left-armer Lilley who whittled away the lower order.

Alexis Twigg then made 64 not out on his Shaw debut to lead his new side to a nine-wicket triumph.

On their return to Division One, Follifoot pummelled Ilkley by 59 runs.

Despite losing new captain Nick Robinson to a third-ball duck, Alex Fox’s half century steadied the ship alongside Aussie Damien Lawrence (32).

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Sam Gascoyne added a valuable 30 at number seven as ‘Foot were ousted for 188. Henry Wilson was Ilkley’s chief destroyer with four wickets for 61 runs.

Ilkley’s batsman fell at regular intervals in the chase, with Lawrence sweeping up 3-41 on his first appearance. Umer Yaqoon, Gasgoyne and Alex Fox also celebrated two wickets each as Guiseley fell for 129.

Bilton’s renewed title hopes suffered an opening day blow at home to reigning champions Otley. Opening bowler Sajid Ali looked to have set Bilton up for an eye-catching victory with four wickets, with his spell aided by Will Liddle (2-41) and Mustahsan Ali Shah (3-46).

Otley scrambled to 181 before Liddle took the final wicket. Bilton’s chase collapsed to 30-3, with skipper Vic Craven falling for 22. Two further wickets on 64 put the efforts in deep trouble, and when Ali fell for 38, the victory hopes diminished.

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Otley’s Ricky Holloran wrapped up proceedings with 4-35 as Bilton were all out on 151.

Meanwhile Collingham just missed out on a victorious chase at home to Kirkstall, falling 12 runs short of the target of 206.

In Division Two, Knaresborough’s season started in defeat at home to Illkingworth after visiting opener Danny Gibbs (77no) made Simon Bridson sweat on his decision to field first.

Sam Ryan led Boro’s attack with 3-55 as Illingworth totalled 204-9 from their 50 overs. Boro then lost opener Jonathan Corcoran leg before first ball but contributions from overseas Eben Martin (23) and Ryan (27). However, the chase was too slow, and Andy Ward was left stranded on 51 not out as time ran out, with Boro sat on 183-7.

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Bardsey got off to a perfect start in Division Three with Naseem Aslam’s 114 and M Ansell’s 89 taking them to a massive 266-3 at home to Silsden. Sameer Manjrekar then took 4-30 and Henry Wainman 3-33 as Silsden collapsed to 182all out, losing by 84 runs.

FIXTURES

Division One: Guiseley v Bilton Ilkley v Beckwithshaw;North Leeds v Follifoot; Otley v Collingham.

Division Two: Thackley v Knaresborough

Division Three: Upper Wharfedale v Bardsey

Reserve Division One: Bilton v Guiseley

Reserves Division Two: Follifoot v Upper Wharfedale; Beckwithshaw v Pool; Knaresborough v Calverley

Reserves Division Three: Bardsey v Skipton; Collingham v Menston