Joy and relief as Thackley win Aire-Wharfe League title (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Joy and relief as Thackley win Aire-Wharfe League title

3:01pm Tuesday 6th September 2011 in Aire-Wharfe League By Richard Coomber

Thackley’s deadly duo of Mahir Ali and Nasser Jamal turned round a tricky position to clinch victory over Follifoot and their club’s first Aire-Wharfe League championship.

Ali and skipper Leon Harber have led the way as Thackley, who joined the league in 2000, won promotion from Division Three in 2008 and then to the top flight 12 months later.

And now, after only two seasons in Division One, they have walked off with the title with a week to spare.

Adding Jamal to the attack last season gave Thackley an extra edge to compete at the top level, and he and Ali have picked up more than 50 wickets each on the way to the championship.

Harber has again been their most consistent batsman and his 48 was vital in Thackley’s modest 147 - a total that looked as though it might not be enough and lead to a showdown with second-placed Kirkstall on the final day of the campaign.

But then Ali (6-83) and Jamal (4-36) got to work and dismissed Follifoot for 140 to let the celebrations began.

There will have been some relief amid the joy at the fact that this week’s clash with Kirkstall is now academic because Jos Siddall’s side were making short work of Rawdon and took their points haul to 57 from the last 60.

Rawdon already knew they were destined for Division Two next season, and they could be joined by Green Lane, who dropped into the second relegation spot after losing to Bilton while Adel were beating Collingham.

Istikhar Hussain took 4-33 as Bilton were bowled out for 161 but only opener Davin Charleston (35no) put up much resistance as Lane crashed out for 81, their sixth successive defeat.

David Brook (65) and Shane Etherington (5-34) were the stars as Burley beat Beckwithshaw by seven wickets, while Guiseley and Otley produced something of a run feast.

Dean Russ smashed 22 boundaries and a six in his 171, with Charlie Best weighing in with a half-century in Guiseley’s 321-6.

It was a massive ask, especially with Chris Wain picking his way to five wickets, and, despite the efforts of Matt O’Grady (54) and Andy Rhodes (42), Otley were bowled out for 242, a total that mean these two sides have scored 1051 runs between them in their two encounters this season.

A 7-19 spell from Alex Miller skittled Tong Park Esholt out for 82 - a total Ben Rhydding passed with nine wickets to spare.

Already-promoted Ben Rhydding moved to within two points of Division Two leaders Steeton, who could only manage four points against Harden.

Shane McNamara (73), John Akrigg (74) and Mark Taylor (55no) top-scored in Steeton’s 251-6 but Richard Wear (41) and Jordan Mackenzie (62no) ensured Harden held on for the draw.

While Ben Rhydding are celebrating promotion for the second year in a row, Menston - the side who came up with them - had to accept relegation after being beaten by Calverley.

Gareth Lee (5-11) and Andrew Alred (4-34) dismissed Menston for 106, a total the visitors passed with six wickets to spare.

Umer Yaqoob picked up five wickets in Olicanian’s 261-9, Andy Long top-scoring with 97. But Bolton Villas’ batting couldn’t match the bowling and they were dismissed for 110 of which Lee Margerison scored 43.

Second-placed Colton took four points off Division Three leaders Bardsey, which allowed third-placed Ilkley to move to within three points of the second promotion spot after they beat Silsden.

Richard Harrison (5-32) and Andrew Wheeler (3-66) bowled out Silsden for 156 with Waqas Ahmed (67) and Craig Thornton (52) the main contributors.

Fortunately for Ilkley they managed to gain some overs from Silsden because they were into the 55th over before clinching the win. Jake Bezzant (56) and Wheeler (46) were the top scorers with Zarshad Khan picking up 6-51.

Horsforth passed New Rover's 80 total in 19 overs with Chris Binks (36no) top scorer, but despite scoring 216, with Peter Kempton contributing a half-century, Hall Park lost at Woodhouse and will have to apply for re-election, while Skipton crashed to a ten-wicket defeat at Illingworth.