Burley's blitz continues as they chase second crown in three years (From Wharfedale Observer)

Burley's blitz continues as they chase second Aire-Wharfe League crown in three years

5:00pm Tuesday 7th August 2012 in Sport By Richard Coomber

An unbeaten century from Nick Brook was the highlight as Burley dominated play against Steeton and opened up the possibility of a second Aire-Wharfe League championship win in three years.

With their Division One title rivals struggling, the five points Burley picked up mean they have taken 19 of the last 24 on offer and are now only seven behind leaders Beckwithshaw with six games to go.

Nick Brook hit 14 fours in his unbeaten 137 and put on 166 for the first wicket with his brother David (58).

He then shared an unbeaten stand of 99 with Ed Brown, who raced to 50 in 44 balls as Burley declared on 298-3, leaving them 53 overs to bowl at Steeton.

Brown took 4-44 as Steeton struggled, with only No 6 batsman Mark Taylor (40) slowing the home side’s apparent progress to victory.

Steeton were at 129 with 13.1 overs left when last man Stephen Pearson joined Dominic Bennett at the wicket but somehow the gutsy pair hung on, adding 42 runs and earning their side a point that keeps them in third place, a point ahead of Burley.

With Beckwithshaw rained off against Kirkstall, Collingham had the chance to regain top spot but Guiseley had different plans.

Abid Awan (4-30) and Alex Bell (3-31) restricted the visitors to 190 and, even though Guiseley lost two quick wickets, Charlie Best (64), Josh Nelson (66no) and Harrison Durkin (26no) clinched victory.

Ben Rhydding raised hopes of escaping relegation, Charlie Swallow (66 and 4-13) and Nick Smith (47no) starring as they beat Adel by 98 runs.

Majid Khan scored 101 and, with Yasser Ali (60), helped Thackley to 242-7.

Andrew Stothart (5-50) and Shane Marshall (3-29) had Follifoot reeling at 125-8 but then the weather intervened and Thackley had to make do with one point.

The rain that affected north Yorkshire saved Otley from defeat.

Chasing Bilton’s 184-7, they were hanging on at 92-7 when play was abandoned.

Knaresborough set Division Two leaders Rawdon a target of 217-8 and, despite a fine 84 from Joe Loorham, the visitors were bowled out for 197 with four balls left.

That allowed Pool to move into top spot after they eased past Calverley’s 182 total in which Shabir Bashir hit a half-century.

The Wear brothers starred as Harden won comfortably at Ilkley to move into second. Richard (4-26 and 38) and Andrew (5-25 and 31) always had the home side on the back foot.

Amir Ditta (66) top scored in Green Lane’s 226-9, and even with Lee Margerison hitting 64 in reply, Bolton Villas couldn’t prevent the home side taking five points.

Rain thwarted North Leeds when they were six runs short of victory over bottom side Olicanian.

Colton’s win over New Rover keeps them 12 points clear at the top of Division Three but the chase behind them is still red hot.

Menston bowled out Horsforth for under a hundred for the second time this season, despite a gutsy 43 from No 5 James Brennan, and clinched victory without loss, Gareth Lee scoring 58 not out.

That keeps them two points ahead of Tong Park Esholt, who made short work of Addingham.

With Ricky Palacio taking 5-39, Park needed a seventh-wicket stand of 56 between Danny Groom (28) and Nadeem Hanif (34) to set a modest 135 total.

But Brett Kinsey picked up two early wickets and then Hanif took 5-13 to skittle the home side out for 60.

Majid Inayat’s stellar season continued, following up a 3-18 spell with 70 as Silsden beat Skipton by six wickets to go fourth.

He was ably assisted by Lee Bilbrough (3-35 and 46) and Alex Bradbury (4-25).

Craig Hobson took 5-30 as Illingworth were bowled out for 169 but Hall Park had to settle for two points when they were restricted to 142-8.