Castle takes Hall top and sets up title battle

Treeton were knocked off the top of the Premier Division for the first time this season after losing to former champions Elsecar.

Treeton went into the match at Armroyd Lane five points clear of second-placed Whitley Hall, and ended the day two points behind the Ecclesfield club, who were five-wicket winners over guests Hallam.

Treeton's Steve Foster played his usual captain's role with a knock of 127 which included 17 fours and a six, and former captain Chris Codd added 75 as the visitors made 258-6. Elsecar, showing their best form so far this term, replied with 262-6, Ian Swallow cracking 62 and Tim Farmer 60.

Whitley Hall toppled Hallam for 163, Ben Webster grabbing 5-22 and Jaco Castle 4-43, and answered with 164-5, Castle 43 not out and Alex Fletcher 34.

They go into the crucial match against Treeton on Saturday at Washfield Lane, knowing a clear win would put them nine points ahead of their rivals, whereas a Treeton victory would put them back into a five-point advantage.

It could not have been closer at Wath where neighbours Rotherham Phoenix reached 256-9 with a brilliant century from Johnny Younis, whose 112 included 14 fours, and a knock of 90 by Bibal Ejaz. Wath closed on 255-9, opener Matt Burrows setting his side off to a good start with a half-century, Rob Barlow adding 40 and junior Sam Drury 48.

Barnsley supplied another top-flight centurion at Tickhill, teenager Ben O'Brien hammering 108, and another youngster, Jordan Bethel, adding 51. Tickhill hung on at 240-9 to avoid outright defeat, with half-centuries from juniors Lee Bradshaw and Justin Dickinson.

Wickersley polished off hosts Whiston for 99 – Jon Davies 5-12 and Haidar Jahangir 3-18 – to register a five-wicket triumph.

Aston Hall dismissed Houghton Main for 205, Saquib Shah making 48, and battled to victory at 206-9 against the attack of Syad Asif (5-58).

Top batsmen in Division One were Norton Oakes opener Alex Hughes, with 103 in the eight-wicket win at Coal Aston, and Darfield's James Ward, with 109 in the emphatic win over Doncaster Town.

Whitley Hall seconds' Kevin Brown hit 119 as they completed a winning club double at Maltby.