Theakston Nidderdale League: Rock-bottom Knaresborough Forest CC move within touching distance of safety

Division One’s bottom side were well adrift at the foot of the table ahead of Saturday’s trip to mid-table Blubberhouses having managed only the one solitary win in 14 previous attempts.

Although they had found runs hard to come by earlier in the season, Forest have been performing better with the bat of late and posted a more-than-useful total of 234/9 in 45 overs.

Dan Morgan hit 78 of those runs and Joe Stanley added 32, while Omar Ali took 4-51 for Blubberhouses before making 59 when they replied.

But, he received little by way of meaningful support and the hosts were sent on their way for just 143.

Jono Bradley (3-23) and Alistair Bradley (3-28) were the pick of the Forest attack.

That result, combined with their own 80-run reverse at Walton Park, will leave third-from-bottom Harrogate 3rds looking nervously over their shoulder, with the gap to the bottom two now just 19 points.

Vihan Madarasinghe top-scored with 64 as the home side put 226/6 on the board in 45 overs, and that total proved beyond ‘Gate.

Barnes Walker (35) and Richard Brook (34) were the only Roosters batsmen to make useful contributions as Bobby Harper (4-38) and Madarasinghe (3-21) combined to knock them over for 146.

Second-from-bottom Ben Rhydding suffered a third consecutive defeat when they entertained title hopefuls Killinghall.

The strugglers made their way to 194 all out thanks largely to the efforts of skipper Forrest Hamilton (78).

Luke Haidar (3-39) and Tyler Evans (3-50) impressed with the ball for Killinghall, who then eased to 200/5 in 33.1 overs.

Opener Sam Halliday (78) and Luke Atkinson (41) were in good touch for the victors, who remain 16 points shy of top spot in third place.

Ten points better off in second position are Upper Wharfedale, who overcame Birstwith away from home in an encounter that was dominated by the bat.

Craig Robinson smashed a fine run-a-ball knock of 142 alongside Sam Ryan (46) as the hosts reached 252/4.

But the Rams needed only 36.2 overs to overhaul that total, Dylan Canny (94), Callum Lockett (69) and Damon Malcolm (67 not out) wasting little time in wrapping up an eight-wicket triumph.

Top-of-the-table West Tanfield made it nine wins on the spin as they edged out fifth-placed Helperby in what was an extremely close contest.

Guy Smith (4-22) and Alfie Spencer (3-16) did most of the damage for the league leaders, getting rid of the visitors for 142.

Will Shaw’s knock of 40 got Tanfield’s response off to a positive start, however Tom Messenger (4-32) and Charlie Lawrence (3-40) dragged Helperby back into the game.

Angus Shaw’s men would eventually scrape over the line, completing a one-wicket success in the 39th over.

Fourth-placed Goldsborough beat mid-table Alne by a 72-run margin having posted 272 all out.

James Wood (78) and Liam Walsh (53) led the way for the home team as Ryan Allinson and Daniel Hunt took three scalps apiece.

Duncan Stirke struck 81 when Alne took their turn at the crease, though they were unable to progress any further than 200 all out.

Walsh completed an excellent afternoon’s work by claiming 4-26 for Goldsborough.