HEADINGLEY groundsman Andy Fogarty cast an expert eye over the Olicanian Cricket Club's wicket last week and was duly impressed by what he saw. Fogarty has had problems of his own of late. The Headingley pitch came in for criticism during the County Championship match between Yorkshire and Kent last week.

But Fogarty had no such fears in giving the pitch at Denton Road in Ilkley the nod of approval and, right on cue, Olicanians emphasised the quality of the pitch on Sunday by running riot with the bat. Playing a relatively weak Ilkley side, they hammered their way to 268 for two off 40 overs. Nick Mallory started the assault in blistering style, opening the batting and scoring a century off just 60 balls. When Mallory returned unbeaten on exactly 100, the Ollies score was just 118.

Leigh Ellis compounded Ilkley's misery in the stiffling heat by clubbing a lively 68, and Mark Dexter played at a more stately pace for a chanceless unbeaten 50. In fairness, Ilkley's hopes of making a contest of it disappeared during Mallory 's innings, and when it was their turn to bat, they offered pluck but little theat.

Josh Simcox (4-18) and Nigel Law (4-19) took the honours on the bowling front as Ilkley finished on 125, Olicanians winning by 143 runs. But the most positive memory Ilkley took home with them was the excellence of the wicket, which coupled with a new pavilion, is transforming the Olicanians from a cabbage-patch club to one with brighter prospects.