Nidderdale League: Darley survive drop as Knaresborough Forest secure promotion

With the title race already secured by Pannal, focus turned on the battle for relegation and who would replace the doomed teams next season in the penultimate week.
NAKP 1508255AM5 K'boro Forest CC V West Tanfield CC. Knaresborough Forest celebrate another wicket. (1508255AM5)NAKP 1508255AM5 K'boro Forest CC V West Tanfield CC. Knaresborough Forest celebrate another wicket. (1508255AM5)
NAKP 1508255AM5 K'boro Forest CC V West Tanfield CC. Knaresborough Forest celebrate another wicket. (1508255AM5)

With the title race already secured by Pannal, focus turned on the battle for relegation and who would replace the doomed teams next season in the penultimate week.

Newby Hall’s fate at the bottom was already sealed but they had a role to play in the fight for survival against fellow strugglers Blubberhouses.

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But they came up against a Blubbs team on top of their game, and Rob Lowe (4-25) and Lee Platts (4-4) ripped the Newby batting apart for just 55 to set up a simple seven-wicket win.

The two teams will come to blows again next year, though, as Darley’s win comfortable nine-wicket win at Killinghall sent Blubberhouses down.

Darley’s bowlers gave little away in 44.1 overs as they ousted Killinghall for just 123 before striking off the total at five runs an over.

The victory put Darley eight points above the relegation zone, with only six points on offer for Blubberhouses on the final day of the summer.

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Meanwhile, Pannal’s title celebrations were brought back down to earth in a tense defeat to Bishop Thornton.

Having lost Adelvin Phillip and Dave Wood to golden ducks, Pannal recovered to a first innings total of 228, with Graham Fish (57), Carl Wilson (46) and Cameron Pit (44) all contributing.

Pannal were still big favourites as Bishop crashed to 12/2 and 105/6, but Steve Sowray’s quick-fire half century turned the tide and brought them home by one wicket.

Matt Cavanagh’s amazing spell of 6-10 from seven overs removed Hampsthwaite for just 101 as Helperby enjoyed an eight-wicket success.

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The all-rounder (23no) made it a day to remember as he was at the crease when the winning runs were scored.

Alne were also winners by eight wickets as Peter Carr (79) and Zack Wilson (52no) patiently overturned Spofforth’s 168/9.

Ouseburn did not let the disappointment of surrendering their title get them down, as they bounced back to beat Burton Leonard (145ao) by nine wickets.

Knaresborough Forest sealed their rise into the top tier as the Trees overtook West Tanfield at the top of Division Two with victory over Goldsborough.

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Record-breaking Australian Aaron Brunner was once again at the heart of his side’s success with another century.

Brunner struck up 116 to take his side up to an imposing total of 220/8. The Aussie added three wickets in Golds’ unsuccessful chase of 175, which saw Mike Cockle chalk up 91.

Forest can seal the Division Two title with a win over Studley Royal 2nds on the last day of the season.

The Pateley Bridge Showground is the ideal setting for Saturday’s promotion decider between the hosts and former leaders West Tanfield.

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Both teams know a win would be good enough to secure Division One cricket next season. The pair were closely matched in their previous league encounter, with Bridge scraping to a one-wicket win in the final over.

Pateley will go into the contest full of confidence following an eight-wicket success over relegated Lofthouse and Middlesmoor at the weekend.

John Thompson’s 4-36 helped Pateley bowl their hosts out for 111, before Colin Langley (41) and Shaun Van Dam (44) wrapped up the win.

Tanfield, meanwhile, crashed to an eight-wicket loss at Birstwith after a mediocre batting performance of just 139/8.

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Birstwith, who were moved up to third in midweek following a disciplinary case, were never troubled in reaching the total, as Jonathan Millward (44) took his side home.

Elsewhere, Iain Campbell’s unbeaten 80 and 5-19 helped Scotton see off Ripon 2nds by 71 runs.

Sam Halliday fashioned 48 alongside Campbell as Scotton totalled 213/5, before Ripon’s innings ended on 142/8.

Studley Royal collapsed to 64 all out at the hands of Dacre Banks, with Stephen Ellison (4-26) and Mitchell Hearn (4-28) doing the damage.

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Justin Perkins’ five wicket haul checked Dacre in the chase, but Steve Lawrence (21no) stood firm to earn the win. Luke Spence smacked 83 not out as Ripley were eight wickets too strong for Masham (130ao).

l South Kilvington’s Rakesh Alva achieved the remarkable feat of smashing seven sixes in an over on his way to scoring 100 not out against Alne 2nds. Alva clubbed a waist-height no ball for six off the first ball before adding six more maximums in a row. The feat topped the previous best performed by Masham’s Dwayne Heck.