Title rivals remain neck and neck

6:11pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

The Dales Council League title race is going to wire after a maximum haul for top two Shipley Providence and Leeds Sikh YMCA in the latest round of fixtures means only one point separates them.

Shipley Providence scored 149 and then dismissed Pudsey Congs for 87 to maintain top spot.

But Leeds Sikh remain hot on their heels, Harcharan Seehra hitting 55 in their 188 total before bottom club Hawksworth were dismissed for 83.

Farnley Hill had Christopher Maksymczuk (79), Mohammed Ali (60) and Carl Best (60) to thank as they racked up 309 for six to secure a winning draw over New Farnley (202-9).

Mount (196) defeated Crompark (151) by 45 runs, while Mark Hobson scored 56 as Rodley (231-5) hammered relegation-threatened Farsley (67) by 164 runs.

Baildon scored 158 for nine and dismissed Adel for 60 to plunge the north Leeds club back into the relegation fight.

A rescheduled match on Sunday then saw Ali Malik rush Baildon to a nine-wicket victory over Farnley Hill.

Jonny Baines (5-16) helped dismiss Farnley for just 55, with Malik then smashing 54 in the successful chase – his half-century coming off an incredible 11 balls, including five sixes and a four off the first over of the reply.

The DIVISION B championship is just as tight, with the top three all still in with a shout.

Halifax Direct improved their chances by seeing off a weakened Baildon B by nine wickets.

Title rivals Hepworth & Idle’s match at Old Modernians was called off due to an unfit pitch, while New Wortley remain third after scheduled opponents Esholt were unable to raise a side.

Shipley Providence B (134) went down at home by eight wickets to Leeds Sikh YMCA B after Gopal Makwana had taken six for 32 for the visitors.

And Pudsey St Lawrence run out seven-wicket victors after dismissing Meanwood for a below-par 92.

Drighlington are handily placed for promotion from DIVISION C after David Nelson hit 53 in their 192 and Tyson Illingworth picked up five for 65 as Pudsey St Lawrence B were all out for 100.

Hepworth & Idle B (189) remain on course to win the section after Paul Medley scored 68 and Whitehall could only manage 98 in reply.

Wibsey Park Chapel totalled 160 for nine and secured victory by bowling out Pudsey Congs B for 138, while Baildon C got the better of New Farnley C in a low-scoring draw.

Baildon scored 137 and then had Damian Jolly to thank as he took seven for 41 to leave the visitors on 131 for nine.

Crompark B dismissed Mount B for 105 and, despite Irfan Soni’s five for 42, eased home with three wickets in hand.