Burley’s hopes evaporate with a last day defeat (From Wharfedale Observer)

Burley’s hopes evaporate with a last day defeat

1:32pm Thursday 20th September 2007 in Aire-Wharfe League By Rachel O'Connor

IN what has surely been the most incredible and exciting end to a season in the Airedale and Wharfedale League Collingham and Linton CC are league champions for the first time in their history. Adel finished as runners-up.

The day had started out with a number of teams still cherishing hopes of picking up the title, none more so than Burley who with a last day defeat by Collingham finished up in fifth place.

Steeton and Follifoot are relegated from Division 1 and their places will be taken by Division 2 champions Rawdon and runners-up Guiseley, both finishing on the same points but Rawdon bagging the title by virtue of netting more wins.

It is gloom and doom in Horsforth as both Hall Park and the Horsforth North clubs slip into Division 3 Colton finished as champions of Division 3 with Ilkley side Olicanians gaining promotion with them. Alwoodley and Ben Rhydding must seek re-election after finishing in the bottom two slots.

In the Second Teams competition Steeton are champions for the third consecutive year with Adel as runners-up. Green Lane and Ilkley drop into Division 2 and taking their places will be Division 2 champions Burley-in-Wharfedale and runners-up Follifoot.

Making the drop into Division 3 are Bolton Villas and Olicanians after the closest relegation battle of all.

Colton also notched a double winning Second Teams Division 3 and Alwoodley will accompany them upwards.

Burley needed to beat Collingham to take the Division One title but fell victim to Aussie Nick Cashion, who took six wickets as they were bowled out for 170, giving Collingham the title just a year after winning promotion.

Nick Brook (5-70) and Joel Wylie (4-85) couldn't prevent Collingham setting a target of 224 for nine which Burley never looked like reaching, although 17 year-old Charlie Davy hit 41.

Rawdon captain Stewart Smith hit an unbeaten half-century to take his tally in the last four games to 283 and help his side clinch the Division Two title on matches won, from Guiseley who had the same number of points.

Earlier, Mark McEneaney (6-28) and Dennis Rock (4-5) had dismissed Hall Park for 83.

David Pennett's return to Guiseley, where he started off as a junior, was marked by promotion and he celebrated with five for 48 as Knaresborough were bowled out for 142. Adam Waite (46 no) and Matthew Parker (47) led the triumphant charge to a seven wicket win although Joe Davies had to be taken to hospital after sustaining a blow to the head whilst batting.

Silsden needed to win and Guiseley lose if they were to snatch promotion but they crashed to defeat at Bardsey, who reached 234 for seven despite Zeeshan Qasim's fifth haul of five wickets or more this season. Silsden were never on target and were out for 187.

Rawdon Cricket Club Chairman Lawrence Walker summed up what has been a great season not only for his club but for the league as a whole when he said: "It has been a great season for cricket, to have so many teams involved in all divisions in title, promotion and relegation issues right up to the last game has been tremendous.

"Rawdon won the Division 2 title from Guiseley on the number of games won, they and Silsden pushed us all the way and at one stage Tong Park, Knaresborough and Harden were also in the mix.

"I feel Rawdon and Guiseley are taking their rightful places back in the top division but you can't take anything for granted. At Rawdon we hope to build on our promotion and establish ourselves once again as a first division club.