Illingworth win thriller

Illingworth got back to winning ways with a pulsating victory at home to Addingham in a rain affected Aire/Wharfe League contest.
Illingwoth v Addingham. James Lawton.Illingwoth v Addingham. James Lawton.
Illingwoth v Addingham. James Lawton.

Electing to bat on a dry pitch, albeit with bowler friendly conditions overhead, Illingworth made a decent start with Tasmanian Daniel Murfet being positive from ball one.

The opening stand was worth 38 before wickets began to fall regularly as a result of some poor shot selection.

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A total of 103 looked way below par and Addingham were firm favourites.

A lengthy rain delay followed after tea and so the second innings was reduced to 18 overs, leaving an exciting chase for the fans who had gathered for the England game later in the evening.

Despite dropping two catches in the first over, Illingworth were boosted by Ben Robertshaw taking three wickets with his first four balls.

Ben Clarke backed him up at the other end with a double wicket over, and with a run out as well Addingham were reeling at 33 for seven.

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Two more wickets followed as Robertshaw picked up his second five-wicket haul of the season and Aussie Murfet got one. At 45 for nine, Illingworth looked certain to pick up the unlikeliest of victories.

However, the last pair had other ideas and put on 33 with some heavy hitting. Finally, Murfet took advantage of a miscommunication and ran out the last man, leaving Illingworth with a memorable 15-point win.

Brighouse got off the mark for the season in the Bradford League’s Championship B with a surprise win at Methley.

Aleem Ladak took three for 42 and Zafar Jadoon four for 41 to dismiss Methley for 146.

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Awaise Hussain then hit 47 and Mustafa Bhatti 42 not out as Brighouse scrambled home by three wickets, after being 66 for six.

The top section contest between Farsley and Lightcliffe was abandoned due to rain, as was the Conference game between Northowram Fields and Rodley.

Lightcliffe had their hosts 61 for five but were unable to press home their advantage, Mark Harrison’s 40 not out helping the home side to 162 for eight.

Rob Burton (three for 35) and Jonathan Whiteoak (three for 51) were the most successful visiting bowlers.

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Lightcliffe had made 21 for the loss of skipper Alex Stead (9) when play was halted in the sixth over.

Skipper Grant Soames (53) and Harry Anderson (40) top scored for Methley while Zafar Jadoon (4-41) and Aleem Ladak (3-42) bowled well for Brighouse as they inflicted a second defeat in a row on their opponents.

Fields lost ground in their promotion quest when Rodley were unable to reply to their 194 for nine, which included 33 not out from Jason Smith.

Elland lost at Scholes on a rain-hit Huddersfield League contest.

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Scholes made 280 for six, declaring in the 44th over once their number six Callum Hill (102 no) had reached three figures. Hill and Tom Chadwick (75) scored well after two Alistair Finn wickets and a run out had given the Hullen Edge men a promising start.

Rain left Elland needing 176 in 25 overs but they could only manage 115 for six with Robin Broom’s 30 the top score. Tom Brook took all the wickets to fall.

Also in the Premiership, only seven overs were possible at Barkisland where the hosts had run into early trouble against next-to-bottom Honley.

Openers Ban Kaye, Jamie Summerscales and Zimbabwean Gary Chirimuuta were all out with only 20 runs scored before the heavens opened.

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Todmorden had Lancashire League leaders Ramsbottom under pressure before rain hit Centre Vale.

Ramsbottom were 80 for five, pro Ashton Turner and Martin Harlow having taken a couple of wickets apiece. However, Harlow had to be withdrawn from the attack early in the 10th over to add to Tod’s injury woes.

Bradford League, Premier Division: Farsley* 162- 8 (M Harrison 40*, J Whiteoak 3-51, R Burton 3-35), Lightcliffe 21-1.

Championship B: Methley* 146 (G Soames 53, H Anderson 40, A Ladak 3-42, Z Jadoon 4-41), Brighouse 148-7 (M Bhatti 42*, Aw Hussain 47, SRaz 3-51).

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Conference: Northowram Fields* 194-9 (B Grech 28, J Lister 31, J Smith 33*, J Rothery 3-24). Match abandoned.

Huddersfield League, Premiership: Barkisland* 20-3 v Honley. Match abandoned. Scholes 280-6 (C Hill 102*, T Chadwick 75) reduced to 175, Elland 115-6 (R Brtoom 30, T Brook 6-62).

Aire/Wharfe, Division Two: Illingworth* 103 (D Murfet 31), Addingham 78 (R Robertshaw 5-32).

Lancashire League: Ramsbottom 80-5 v Todmorden*. Match abandoned.

Pennine League: Littleborough v Walsden, no play.

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