Airedale & Wharfedale League: Bilton CC lose top-of-the table clash

David Cummings’ men entertained early pace-setters Saltaire on Saturday, but despite making an extremely promising start to the match, they ended up suffering a 43-run defeat.

Some devastating bowling by Awais Ejaz (5-44) helped reduce the unbeaten visitors to 40/6, but a lower-order rally ensured that they made it to the very-defendable score of 198 all out in 47.3 overs.

Skipper Cummings led by example with a knock of 35 at the top of the order when the home team replied, though he received little by way of support with wickets tumbling at regular intervals.

Tuseif Arshad eventually made his way to 36 not out and Ejaz added 25, though their efforts proved to be in vain as former Bilton ace Mustahsan Ali Shah took 5-46 to help end his old club’s 100 per cent start to 2021.

Collingham & Linton sit fourth in the division following their five-wicket success over Addingham.

Captain Toby Jacklin bagged three wickets as the away side reached 182/8 having won the toss and elected to bat first.

But, their total did not prove sufficient and Collingham completed their run-chase with plenty of overs and batsmen to spare.

Jack McGahan led the Collingham charge, finishing unbeaten on 67, while Jacklin rounded off a fine afternoon’s work with 33 not out.

One place further back in the top-flight standings are Beckwithshaw, victors over Burley-in-Wharfedale at the weekend.

Harry Lister conjured up a near-unplayable spell of bowling for the Killinghall Road outfit, knocking over six opponents at the cost of just 23 runs.

His efforts helped to ensure that Burley progressed no further than 210, a target which ‘Shaw required less than 38 overs to surpass.

Opener Ben Holderness set the tone early on, requiring only 57 deliveries to reach 65 before Oli Hotchkiss (60 not out) and Peter Hotchiss (50 not out) completed their own half-centuries and a comfortable run-chase.

In Division Two, Follifoot made it three wins on the spin when they travelled to Bardsey.

Naseem Aslam shone with 63 for the home side, while Harwood Williams contributed 35, however their team-mates failed to fire and they headed back to the pavilion with just 134 on the board.

Alex Fox, Istikhar Hussain and Josh Cutts claimed a trio of wickets apiece before skipper Nick Robinson hit 77 not out alongside Yasar Ali (36 not out) to seal a seven-wicket triumph.

The result leaves Follifoot sixth in the table. Bardsey drop to ninth.