Nidderdale League: Goldsborough and Dacre Banks relegated in dramatic final day

With the top of the table already decided, attention turned to the relegation dog-fight on the season’s climax and the battle served up a treat.
Helperby's Atish ChouhanHelperby's Atish Chouhan
Helperby's Atish Chouhan

Alne’s seven-wicket success over 2013 champions Spofforth was enough to ensure they would remain a Division One side and sent Goldsborough and Dacre Banks down.

Goldsborough had done all the hard work to defeat Killinghall by two wickets but their 46-point tally ended three short of Alne.

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Alne escaped the drop thanks to a nerveless top order with Ed Myers (49), Jim Kenny (33) and Peter Carr (52no) proving too good for Spofforth’s bowlers.

Luke Vincent had earlier taken four wickets to dismiss Spoff’ for 173, with Craig Hunt topscoring with a run-a-ball half century.

Goldsborough had survived a fierce test at Killinghall to take maximum points. The Golds attack bowled ‘Hall out for 180 before closing out victory with two wickets remaining.

Dacre had needed to beat title winners Ouseburn to have any hopes of surviving, but they were soundly beaten by the Sam Dale show.

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Dale’s 81 took his season tally past the 500-run mark as Ouse notched up 207-8 from 45 overs, wicket-keeper Stewart Horton also assisting with 40.

Dale then returned three wickets alongside David Cummings’ 3-13 as Ouse ousted the bottom club for just 74.

Pannal completed their return season in second with a speedy win over eight-man Blubberhouses. Blubbs made 104 in 18 overs, with Pannal captain Andy Johnston (3-22) removing the top order.

Rob Ellis then blasted an unbeaten 77 as Pannal raced to the total inside 14 overs.

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Helperby maintained third spot despite a final day defeat at Hampsthwaite, as they failed to chase down Hamps’ 189-8.

Shaun Van Dam reached the 500-run mark for the season with his unbeaten 87 for Hamps as Alistair Darnell took four wickets from his ten overs.

Helperby’s imperious batsman Atish Chouhan (16) failed in his final appearance and his side were always behind the rate, with Hamps’ captain Lenny McKittrick (3-33) starring.

A late half century for Daniel Spink took Helperby to 144-7.

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Will Wray smashed 94 for Bishop Thornton but it wasn’t enough to take them to victory against Burton Leonard.

Wray hit 14 fours and two sixes in his knock but Leonard chased down 206 thanks to Tom Rowley’s fluent 62 not out and captain Neil Blaken’s 45.

Darley will join Newby Hall in stepping up into Division One next season after they pipped Birstwith to the post.

Darley had been in the pole seat heading into Saturday’s clash and their eight-wicket win over Masham ensured the step up.

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Michael Beecroft’s three wickets limited Masham to just 121-7 from 40 overs before Jonathan Rice (40no) and Rob Best (38no) took Duncan Naylor’s men home .

Birstwith gave up their hopes after failing to beat Pateley Bridge, losing by 29 runs.

Mile Sutton was Bridge’s main perpetrator as he smacked 49 from 39 balls in their 189-8, George Hirst taking three scalps.

At 64-1, Birstwith were well placed for victory but John Thompson’s quick three wickets rid the middle order as the visitors fell for 160.

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Newby were four wickets too strong for basement outfit Galphay and Winksley, despite Dan Major’s 77 from 61 balls at the top of Galphay’s order.

Both teams threw the ball around to different bowlers, as Newby eventually overturned Galphay’s 146 with Grant Leivers (36no) and Jim Blackburn (33no) in a seventh-wicket stand.

Tom Hixon’s sensational spell for Studley Royal downed West Tanfield by 59 runs.

Hixon took nine wickets in an inspired 11-over streak, which saw only 17 runs coming off the bat. Lewis Day grabbed the tenth and final Tanfield wicket as they were all out for just 106..

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Captain Dan Coad had earlier set Royal up with 76 not out, to continue their end of season resurgence.

Relegated Harrogate 3rds made 224 from 37 overs but it wasn’t good enough to see off Knaresborough Forest, who won by six wickets.

Nick Jones smacked 104 not out to steer Forest to victory, with Matt Parker also making a quick-fire 48.

Twenty wickets fell at Ripley and the home side were 34 runs clear of Scotton to earn a maximum six points. Rob Ellerkey took six wickets as Scotton bowled Ripley out for 147, James Keane smashing 54.

Dylan O’Malley then returned figures of 4-34 as Scotton were removed for 113.

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