Nidderdale League round-up: Newby Hall earn survival boost while Knaresborough Forest’s Aaron Brunner passes 1,000 runs

Wicket-keeper Dave Willis was Newby’s hero as his patient 79not out, including eight fours and a six, took the struggling side over Bishop Thornton’s first innings 222-9.

Jim Blackburn (32) and Dave Henstock (29) built the foundation at the top of the order before Wallis and number seven Eddie Jakeman finished the job with a 75 run sixth-wicket partnership.

Jakeman smashed two sixes in a 25-ball 39 to ensure victory was complete with an over spare. Thornton had earlier relied on Josh Davies’ half century to post a competitive score after their top order fell to 38-3 and 122-5. Dave Henstock (3-46) and Andy Robinson (3-27) did the damage for Newby.

Second bottom Darley are now within reach of Newby following defeat to rampant league leaders Pannal.

Darley crashed to 18-3 and 61-6 before Jonathan Milne flashed five sixes in a 42-ball knock of 66. He was the only batsman to resist Pannal’s attack with Graham Fish (4-31) and Adelvin Phillip (3-35) starring. Half centuries from Andy Ellis (59) and Cameron Pitt (56) took Pannal across the line in 30 overs.

The victory extended Pannal’s advantage at the top to 16 points as Ouseburn moved into second with a narrow two-wicket win over Helperby.

Helperby posted 210-7 before Ouseburn clinched a five-point win in the 41st over, with only one man left waiting to bat.

Mid-table mediocrity surrounds Killinghall and Spofforth, but the pair produced a high-scoring clash at School Lane. Having elected to bat, Killinghall made hay on the flat track with Simon Williams amassing 85 and Ben Cutts 54. James Keane (3-50) was the pick of the bowlers for Spofforth.

Several batsmen chipped in during Spoff’ reply, with Graham Squires (48), James Roberts (57) and Chris Clark (50) helping their side over the line with four wickets and ten balls remaining.

Hampsthwaite continued the success of chasing teams thanks to overseas Shaun Brentnall’s huge century. Brentnall smacked 139 from the top of the order as Hamps’ raced over Alne’s total of 215-9 inside 30 overs. The Australian also enjoyed a strong performance with the ball with 3-76.

Blubberhouses remain in relegation trouble after losing out in a low-scoring contest at home to Burton Leonard. Blubbs were ousted for just 124 before Leonard made a meal of the chase, seeing seven batsmen depart.

Aussie Aaron Brunner has been the revelation of Division Two this season, and he is firing Knaresborough Forest towards Division One status. The opening batsman surpassed 1,000 runs for the season on Saturday as he helped Forest to an eight-wicket victory over Birstwith.

Following a 12-over spell of 3-43, Brunner led the chase to Birstwith’s competitive total of 214-7 with his sixth century of the summer. He topscored with an unbeaten 123, outscoring Birstwith’s top gun Craig Armitage, who had amassed 66 in the opening innings.

Forest remain in third spot, however, as West Tanfield and Pateley Bridge both picked up victories.

Tanfield were on the winning side of a dramatic contest against Masham, which came down to the final over.

The league leaders made 224-6 from their overs, with Andrew Hogan topscoring on 77. Masham looked to be cruising to the total at 200-6, but their tail collapsed and number nine Roger Smart was last man out on 13, bowled by Andy Davison (4-55), three runs shy.

Captain Tom Simpson led Pateley Bridge to a much simpler success over Scotton, after striking up an unbeaten 143.

Simpson was backed up by Tom Fryer as Bridge made 262-7, with Dan Howard ending with figures of 3-56. Dan Major (42) and Ian Morland (46) ensured the response made a positive start but Scotton’s impetus ran out with John Thompson’s 3-59 restricting them to 217-8.

Ripon remain rock bottom of the second tier after a 96-run defeat at Goldsborough. Martin Cockle (54), Damon Ive (46) and Jarrod McPhee (55) stopped Ripon gaining a foothold into the contest before Ben Mackrill plundered 37no to take Golds’ up to 227-4.

Kevin Wilks then collected 4-32 and the prize wicket of Mark Walters (55) as Ripon were all out for a meagre 131.

Lofthouse and Middlesmoor were also bowled out cheaply in their contest against Dacre Banks,. Mark Peachey (4-29) and Mitchell Hearn (3-7) ripped through Lofthouse who made just 119, with Dave Dunford (47) the only batsman offering resistance. Steve Lawrence (52) and Hearn (48) ensured there were no panics for Dacre in their chase, earning an eight-wicket win.

Meanwhile, Ripley moved above Studley Royal 2nds and up to sixth with a six-wicket win, chasing down 227-7 with more than five overs remaining.