Skipper Doidge guides Rawdon back to the top (From Wharfedale Observer)

Skipper Doidge guides Rawdon back to the top

11:23am Thursday 7th June 2012 in Aire-Wharfe League

Andrew Doidge inspired Rawdon to victory over North Leeds that puts them back into a share of the lead in Division Two.

Following last week’s shock defeat by Ilkley, Rawdon needed a quick response but it looked as though the hangover was still heavy when their first two wickets went down without a run on the board and a third followed at just 14.

Mark Stringer (60) and Tony Gilks (26) steadied things but at 97-5 it still looked as though the home side were in for a tough afternoon.

However, skipper Doidge had other ideas. He cracked six sixes and eight fours in scoring 115 and put on 129 with Ryan Gladwin (59) as Rawdon finally raced to 298-7.

North Leeds captain Rob Winter (90) tried to respond but Doidge (5-58) and Gilks (3-33) dismissed them for 222.

Meanwhile, leaders Harden only managed to pick up a point against in-form Green Lane. Jake Wray (62) and Phil Atkinson (60) led the way as Lane scored 218, with Andrew Bailey picking up 5-45.

Wicketkeeper Wray then tormented the home side, taking five catches and a stumping as Harden hung on at 135-9.

Sam Lawrence took 4-40 as Calverley were dismissed for a modest 144 but Bolton Villas stumbled from 94-3 to 99-6 before Lawrence (17no) and Chris Spivey (19no) steered them home.

Nick Cockcroft (65) and Andrew Wheeler (46) starred as Ilkley set a target of 204 on the way to taking four points at Upper Wharfedale.

Chris Wheeler (35) hit almost half Olicanian's 85 as they sunk to a fifth defeat at the hands of Pool.

Luxton brothers Andrew (63no) and Chris (33no) took Division One leaders Steeton to 231-4 and they looked set for victory when they had Thackley at 173-9 but a defiant five-over stand by Nasser Jamal (29no) and Shane Marshall (9no) earned the visitors two points.

Another last wicket stand, this time of 40 between Henry Barrow (27no) and Alex Miller gave Ben Rhydding a 152 total to defend but with Charlie Davy (49) and Ed Brown (48no) leading the way, Burley eased home.

Dan Gautrey (54) top scored in Otley’s 173-9 and a tight match saw Guiseley needing four off the final two balls. Chris Wain stepped up and smashed a four.

There was another thrilling finish in the Division Three ‘derby’ clash between Hall Park and Horsforth.

Peter Kempton (52), Danny Smith (44) and Sean Atkinson (43no) saw Park to 191-4 but despite the efforts of Ally Walshaw (6-62) Horsforth were closing in, Ian Stephens hitting 73.

They were five short of victory with three balls left when Peter Kempton swooped to run out last man David Binks, giving Park bragging rights for the fourth clash in a row.

Majid Inayat (52) top scored in Silsden's 171 in which Ricky Palacio took (5-34). That was enough to earn the home side four points with Phil Binner (6-49) restricting Addingham to 141-9.

Defiant batting from Keir Nelson (42), Graham Summersgill (35) and Rob Walker (33) earned Skipton two points at Illingworth and took them off the bottom of the table.

Tong Park Esholt’s promotion challenge took a knock when they went down by six wickets at Woodhouse, while Menston could only pick up two points at home to struggling New Rover.