Harrogate CC slip to bottom of Yorkshire Premier League North following fifth defeat

Jordan Sleightholme hit a half-century for Harrogate CC.

The Roosters, who are the only side in the division yet to win a game this term, lost out by 36 runs on the road at top-of-the-table Acomb.

Sri Lankan spinner Ishan Abeysekara continued his fine recent form with the ball, snapping up 5-47 to help ensure that the league leaders didn’t make it any further than 222/7 having won the toss and opted to bat first.

But that total proved beyond the ‘Gate batsmen, who were bowled out for 186 despite the best efforts of opener Jordan Sleightholme (55) and skipper Will Bates (39).

Harrogate’s 2nd XI are up to third place in Division One West of the York Senior League after a comfortable home successover Carlton Towers.

Captain George Owram (40) and Corrie Keable (38) led the way for the hosts as they put 201/9 on the board.

A trio of wickets apiece for Charlie Stokes, James Clark and Ben Stokes then got rid of Towers on 129, some 72 runs short of where they needed to be.

Knaresborough dropped down to second place in the division despite having much the better of their home draw against Thorp Arch & Boston Spa.

A stunning century from skipper Greg Pickles (135) which featured 22 fours and a pair of sixes, plus Kevin Owens’ fine knock of 97 guided the home side to 306/4.

Three scalps each for Tashmial Henry and Andy Ward Jr then reduced TABS to 162/9 in reply, but the final wicket that Knaresborough required to wrap things up proved elusive.

Number 11 batsman Toby Wells proved to be the visitors’ hero with a defiant unbeaten 35.

It was a similar story in Galtres Division Two where Bilton-in-Ainsty were thwarted by Sheriff Hutton Bridge 3rds’ last-wicket pair.

Chris Fairhurst (43) and Jamie Perkins (39) saw the hosts to 205/7, but their opponents managed to hold out for a share of the spoils, closing on 160/9.

Knaresborough 2nds went down by eight wickets on the road at Malton & Old Malton 2nds.

Graham Dodds was the only visiting batsman to impress, hitting 51 of his side’s 107.

Pannal were soundly-beaten by South Milford having been bowled out for 96, Rob Ellis top-scoring with 36.