Glory Day For Ilkley Teams As They All Remain Unbeaten (from Wharfedale Observer)

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Glory day for Ilkley teams as they all remain unbeaten

By Rachel O'Connor

Ben Rhydding's Nick Smith who led his side to victory with a knock of 90 not out

IT was a rare day for Ilkley cricket on Saturday when all three of the town's Airedale and Wharfedale League teams remained unbeaten but pride of place went to Ben Rhydding who notched a fine win over Bolton Villas.

After losing their openers cheaply number three Nick Smith went on to hammer a superb 90 not out as his side totalled 190-3.

He had excellent support from young Jack Marchant who struck an unbeaten 52 as he shared a prolific stand of 85 after Laurie O'Connor had been bowled by Lee Margerison for a useful 24.

Young hockey star Ollie Musgrave had gone without troubling the scorers and opening partner A Miller fared little better being bowled by Sam Lawrence for nine.

Bolton Villas also lost an opener without scoring, Margerison being bowled by D Kenna.

There was some resistance from wicketkeeper Barry Hawksworth with 68 not out and Shray Ditta stood firm for 34 but in the end Villas succumbed to the bowling of Kenna (three for 27), batting hero Smith with 2-92 off 22.4 overs and Miller with three for 58 and they were all out eight runs short of their target in what had been a thrilling game of cricket.

The win gives Ben Rhydding a morale boost as they languish near the foot of the Division Three table.

Fellow Division Three side Ilkley took four points from a drawn game at Alwoodley where their hosts picked up just two points.

Batting first Ilkley totalled a modest 155 with opener Nick Cockroft leading the way with 30.

The batting never really got going against the bowling of James Wilson (three for 52) and Nigel Busekutv (three for 23) although there were some little cameos from Richard Harrison with 22, Rory Kroon, Joe Varley and Andy Wheeler with 19 and T Malik with 18.

Alwoodley were made to struggle throughout by Harrison who took four for 34 off his superb 18 over spell to see Alwoodley struggle to 132-8.

Harrison was well supported by Chris Quaife with two for 28 off seven overs and Abdul Quyyom with one for 15 off 11 overs.

In Division Two Olicanians took five points from a drawn game at Bardsey to slightly ease their relegation fears.

Batting first Olicanians made a fine 215-9 with opener Ben Clarke, the former Horsforth player, crafting a fine 45 and sharing a third wicket stand of 58 with top scorer Ed Brown who hit a superb 66.

A late flurry of 31 from Rob Wheeler boosted the total as the Bardsey bowlers toiled although A Young did manage to bag four wickets but at a cost of 79 runs from his 30 overs.

Bardsey were soon on the rack losing three cheap wickets to a run out and strikes by Bernard Hughes and Phil Howell.

They then staged a revival with Gary Hopton prominent with a fine half-century but with Hughes going on to claim six for 59 off a prolonged 25 over spell Bardsey were left hanging on at 147-9.

In Division Three Addingham struggled to 100-7 in reply to Skipton's 164 to take a point from a drawn game.

For Skipton Azhar Mahnood hit 49 and Gary Owns 44 as James Hall caused havoc with a six for 86 return off his 23 overs.

Only Mike Atkinson with 25 really set his stall out in reply although opener Darrell Robinson hit 17.

The only other batsmen to reach double figures were Simon Farrand with 13 and Richard Hey with 11.

9:00am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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