Bethel stands firm for first title victory

Whitworth Cup winners Whitley Hall completed a notable double when they clinched the championship of the Premier Division with their victory over hosts Tickhill.

Whitley's win at the Alderson Drive ground earned them the Premier section title for the first time.

After dismissing the home club for 96, Jaco Castle taking 5-36 and Tom Fletcher capturing 3-11, the guests made hard work of achieving victory.

They lost seven wickets in reaching 97, Kashif Raza grabbing 6-31, before Andy Bethel steered the Ecclesfield club safely home with his 46 not out.

Rain cut out half of the League's final-day programme, but it did not stop Wickersley registering a five-wicket win at Aston Hall, with another fine all-round performance coming from Haidar Jahangir.

Half-centuries from Gareth Jones and Josh Garnham took Aston to 182 but Wickersley reached 183-5 with Jahangir striking 44, Greg Norton adding 36 and James Bentley making 30 not out.

Opener Richard Neal set Hallam on their way to a 195-9 tally with a fluent half-century, hosts Barnsley closing on 139, Simon Potter making 40, with Jesse Hemingway claiming 4-29.

Treeton's bid to retain their title ended when their game at Wath was rained off.

High-scorers of the day were Division One club Shiregreen, who claimed the lion's share of the points against Doncaster Town when making 295-8 thanks chiefly to Mohammed Fayyaz (77), Liquat Ali (53) and Rangzeb Akhtar (42).

Elsecar Seconds clinched promotion from Division Two.

They made 249-7 with Mark Kingston unbeaten on 125 and junior Chris Pedler hitting 60. Visitors Sheffield United were sent packing for 123, Joe Fletcher capturing 5-55.

The day's top bowler was Worsbrough's Paul Hardcastle, who came within an ace of the magical 10-wicket feat, when his 9-32 spell shot out Division Three hosts Norton Oakes for 93.

Another bowler in top form was Rockingham B's Martyn Hewitt, whose 7-25 effort had Division Four side Thorncliffe all out for 74.