Wetherby League: Ward leads by example as Kirk Deighton edge closer to maiden title

Having rescued a toiling first innings with an unbeaten half century, the captain claimed six wickets to sent Barwick tumbling.

Deighton lost four quick wickets batting first but Simon Dwyer (78) and Ward (57no) steadied the ship and took the leaders up to 196/9, with Andrew Styan taking 4/27.

Barwick’s top order was equally fragile and although Danny Leadbeater made 72, Deighton completed a 12th win in 13 matches.

Scarcroft stayed in touch of the leaders with an eight-wicket win over St Chad’s Broomfield, who have been accepted to to join the Aire-Wharfe League next season.

Rohan Irvine compiled a magnificent innings of 148 not out as the title chasers made light work of a seemingly tricky 180-run target.

Chads had been ousted for 179 despite Umar Ishaq (63) and Priyanga Gamage (46), with Ghulam Hussain taking 5/23.

The top two are out in front alone following Bilton-in-Ainsty’s surprise six-wicket defeat at home to Sicklinghall.

Quality knocks from Richard Brooke (70) and Dan Holmes (58no) sent Sicklinghall past 212/8. Recent signing Jonny Ross had made 60 for Bilton, while Miles Lloyd scored 48 at the top of the order.

South Milford required 63 from junior Ben White to make a winning total of 162 against Hillam and Monk Fryston, who were dismissed for just 82 in reply.

Steven Winspear was the class of the Milford attack as he took 6/32 while Dan White chipped in with 3/35.

Bottom of the league Church Fenton claimed a tie in a thriller against Garforth Parish Church.

Fenton made 149/7 first with John Wilkinson scoring an unbeaten 56 from number seven. Michael Fisher’s 76 looked to have put Garforth in control but support lacked around him as Church grabbed an unlikely share of the spoils.

However, it was not enough to gain ground in the relegation race as Old Leodiensians took six points against Shadwell, easily chasing 134 with six wickets in hand.

Rufforth remain unbeaten in Division Two after defending a low total against fourth bottom Meanwood.

The Leeds visitors had Rufforth staring down the barrel at 31/5 but Phil Charlton (43) and Jim Ledgeway (30) rescued the leaders up to 128.

Cam Sanderson’s 4/15 put the pressure firmly on the chasers, who were all out for 54 with six batsmen out for ducks. Rob Guthrie topscored on 30.

Saxton produced the performance of the week to chase Long Marston’s 233/7 with three wickets left.

Chris Borrowdale (62) and Nick Sowerby (53) kept their cool to record Saxton’s third win of the season after Ian Pickard (62) and Lenny Miller (53) had shown the way for the visitors in the first innings.

Ledsham (136/6) stay second after a four-wicket win over Sherburn Eversley (135), which saw Andy Kelly tak 4=22 and score 50.

Headingley Bramhope failed to gain maximum points against bottom of the league Garforth Parish Church A and now sit nine points below the promotion zone.

Garforth amasses 115/8 and Headingley had little problem in surpassing it two down.

Scholes moved to within a point of St Chad’s A after piling on the runs. Scholes smashed 292/6 at St Chad’s tiny ground and then bowled their hosts out for 139.

Elsewhere, Thorner Mexborough (141/5) beat Kirk Hammerton (136) by five wickets.