Theakston Nidderdale League: Arthington CC miss chance to wrap up title after suffering first loss of 2024

After a sequence of 16 consecutive victories, the defending champions lost out by the narrowest of margins at home to mid-table Goldsborough.

Naveed Andrabi’s men posted 190 all out, Umar Farooq top-scoring with 68 as Mark Wood snapped up 4-29.

James Wood (53) and Jarrod McPhee (43) then got Goldsborough into a strong position in reply, and although the visitors then began to lose wickets at regular intervals, Mark Wood (42 not out) completed a fine afternoon’s work by dragging them over the line at 193/9.

Despite that result, Arthington remain 47 points clear at the summit with just three rounds of fixtures remaining this term.

Their cause was aided by Killinghall, who began the weekend in second spot, going down by seven wickets at home to West Tanfield, who leapfrogged them in the table in the process.

Luke Haidar (72) hit a defiant half-century as the hosts were dismissed on 152, Alfie Spencer and Angus Shaw each taking a trio of scalps.

Sam Abel (46 not out), Cameron King (42) and Harry Lamb (41) then all contributed as Tanfield eased to 156/3 in 23 overs.

Fourth-placed Upper Wharfedale continued their good run of recent form with a 101-run triumph over Alne.

Jimmy McPhee (87) shone with the bat once more, helping the Rams to 238/9.

Dan Benson then took 3-36 to help get rid of Alne for 137, Eddie Myers scoring 37 of those runs.

At the other end of the division, Masham boosted their survival hopes significantly by beating fellow strugglers Pateley Bridge, climbing off the foot of the table in the process and moving to within six points of safety.

Oliver Ambler’s side put 211 on the board and then knocked the Badgers over for 126.

Ouseburn drop to last place despite making 228/7 at Helperby, Seb Gaspar-Dunn (51) hitting a half-century as Andrew Harrison grabbed 4-36.

Earlier, the hosts had reached 249/3 thanks to some excellent work by Cheslin Batt (111 not out) and Mike Dennett (82).

Blubberhouses racked up a mammoth score of 409 all out on their way to a 165-run success at Birstwith.

Salman Anwar (169) and Ali Raza (112) both smashed stunning centuries for the away team before Sam Ryan (109) responded with a similarly fine effort of his own.

But Birstwith were unable to progress beyond 244/5 in response.