Steeton make it big thanks to Akrigg ton (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Michael Halmshaw century helps Follifoot dig in to earn draw after high-scoring clash with Steeton

5:10pm Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

John Akrigg hit a century as promoted Steeton dominated a feast of Aire-Wharfe League runs against Follifoot to emerge as one of the early-season DIVISION ONE front-runners.

Akrigg (134) made a steady start with just eight runs off his first 36 balls but he and opener Craig Walton (65) put on 79 and he then combined with David Wildsmith (85no) in a stand of 201 to put Steeton on the way to 314-4.

Follifoot made a spirited response, with Michael Halmshaw (141no) and James Ford (50) leading the way.

They needed nine off Jonathan Best’s final over to take a second point in the draw but lost two wickets and only managed eight in a 235-6 total.

There was also plenty of final-over tension at Thackley with the home side’s last pair of Nasser Jamal and Shane Marshall needing 11 to pass Guiseley’s 176-6. But they could only manage three and had to settle for two points.

Dave Pennett (80no) and Abid Awam (50) starred in Guiseley’s innings, with Mahir Ali picking up four wickets, while Leon Harber hit 54 for Thackley despite tight bowling by Robert Atkinson (5-45) and Chris Waine (3-44).

Daniel Bryan (60) and Charlie Davy (33) put on 85 and Neil Davies weighed in with a late 25 as Burley recovered from 14-3 to 172 against Adel. Nick Brook (3-15) and Shane Etherington (4-16) then dismissed the visitors for 105.

Sam Smith (77no) and Andrew Rhodes (58) top-scored as Otley reached 220-8 but it was not quite enough and Kirkstall Educational clinched a three-wicket victory with two balls to go.

Ben Rhydding found life against title favourites Beckwithshaw too hot to handle. The visitors raced to 257-5 before Ben Rhydding struggled against James Lilley (6-7), with last man Chris Pennington (19no) second only to extras (21) in their 76.

A fifth-wicket stand of 128 between Ryan Gladwin (84) and Tony Gilks (72) helped Rawdon (269-9) pick up five points against Upper Wharfedale (126-6) and put them top of DIVISION TWO.

Phil Leng (6-21) and Richard Wear (3-6) skittled out Bardsey for 44 as Harden (156) continue to make an impressive start to the season. But Olicanian (100) could find no answer to Knaresborough’s Aussie Jack Paynter (5-24 and 59no) and went down to a five-wicket defeat.

Jeremy Batty (5-24) restricted Bolton Villas to 131 but Sam Lawrence (5-17) and Michael Oldfield (4-11) responded in kind as Ilkley were dismissed for 77.

Jonathan Hudson (5-28) raised Calverley’s hopes as Green Lane were bowled out for 120 but the home side could not handle Adil Ashraf (8-24) and crashed out for 66.

In DIVISION THREE, Jason Smith (81) and Ricky Palacio (74no) clinched Addingham’s eight-wicket win at Woodhouse (175-9) but Menston (121) went down to a ten-wicket defeat by Illingworth despite 54 from Chris Baldwin.

Gareth Wilkinson hit 112 in 63 balls and, with AJ Weerapuli (76), helped Tong Park Esholt to 262-9. Despite 54 from Luke Facey, Skipton were never in the race and Will Murray took 4-36 as they were dismissed for 166.

Majid Inayat (6-41) restricted Hall Park to 137 and Silsden’s four-wicket victory was never in doubt after an opening stand of 61 between Steve Cox (39) and Lee Bilborough (37).

Horsforth crashed out for 80 in reply to pace-setters Colton’s 185-9, with Kris Lewis (25) the only batsman showing real resistance.