Crucial Whitley victory sets up title challenge

Whitley Hall registered what could prove to be a Premier Division title-decider when they beat long-time leaders and champions Treeton by nine wickets at Washfield Lane.

The Whitley hero was Alex Walsh who picked up 4-40 as Treeton fell for 130. The writing was on the wall when prolific openers Andy Tomlinson and Steve Foster were sent back for 10 and 6 respectively, both bowled by South African Jaco Castle.

Whitley then eased to 131-1 with Walsh unbeaten on 71, to leave Whitley with a nine-point advantage.

Wath couldn't have been too optimistic after managing only 117 at Houghton Main, but they had the man for the job in Paul Wilkinson, whose 8-28 – the best bowling figures in the Premier Division this season – shot out Houghton for 104.

Tickhill took winning points from their trip to Aston Hall, making 177, Scott Jones doing the damage with 6-24, then sending back Aston for 127 with wickets shared by Kashif Raza and Tom Barnett.

Barnsley's young team were five-wicket winners at Rotherham Phoenix after seeing off the hosts for 127, Andy Ivill claiming 4-42 and Jamie Green 3-20. Barnsley passed their target with 20 overs to spare, Jordan Luke Bethel striking an unbeaten 55.

The Swallow family have been the backbone of Elsecar Cricket Club for many years, and two more members, Ainsley and Ian helped keep up the club's recent improvement in the win at Wickersley. Opener Ainsley hit 62, Ian following with a knock of 57 as the guests laid down a

200-8 challenge. Wickersley closed on 194, Rob Jones and Carl Tiler each hitting half-centuries, the Elsecar attackers Alan Shore, 5-74, and Chathura Athukorala, 4-46.

The other Premier Division game, Hallam v Whiston, was abandoned after just ten overs due to a heavy downpour.

Norton Oakes enjoyed a nine-wicket win over Collegiate in Division One, the visitors sent back for 225, Mike Simpson 76, with Aamir Ashfaque taking 5-62, and the Norton openers, Alex Hughes and Andy Firth seeing their team safely home, Hughes belting 20 boundaries in his 117 and Firth hammering 15 fours in his 97.