Foster to the fore again in Treeton's triumph

IT IS as you were at the top of the Premier Division, with emphatic victories for leaders Treeton and second-placed Whitley Hall.

Treeton had eight wickets to spare after overhauling the Houghton Main total of 137, Steve Foster giving yet more credence to his reputation as the top all-rounder in the League, following his 5-31 stint with an unbeaten 74.

Whitley Hall faced a more formidable tally at Aston Hall, the hosts reaching 234-7 with a splendid century from Chris Holland, but Whitley made light of the task, answering with 238-3, Chris Siddall blasting 108.

Elsecar picked up welcome points when making the short trip to Barnsley, promising junior Ben O'Brien striking a half-century as Barnsley closed on 159-7. The Armroyd Lane men made it with just three balls to spare, Brett Hunsley carrying his bat for 62 in a 160-8 reply.

Another of the top flight's fine all-rounders, Whiston's Asadullah Butt, was instrumental as his team outpointed hosts Wath. Butt powered 116, with 15 boundaries, as Whiston came in at 207-9, and then claimed 5-42 as Wath were pegged at 160-9, their best performaers being Archie Ogden with 45 and Rob Barlow with 4-59.

Hallam were 10-wicket winners after toppling Rotherham Phoenix for 139, the wickets shared between Jesse Hemingway and James Chetwood. Knocks of 74 from Humphrey Emery and 64 from Richard Neal saw Hallam cruise to a maximum.

There were almost 600 runs at Tickhill, visitors Wickersley blasting 305-3 with Gareth Davis blitzing 116, Scott Cunningham 89 and Haidar Jahangir 50. Tickhill looked like making it at one stage, but closed on 275-8, Matt Kilvington cracking 80, with Chris Dyle and Mo Raza chppping in with half-centuries.

Wickersley seconds also reached the 300 mark in their Division Two match against Frecheville, providing two centurions in Darren Pugh, whose 142 included 16 fours and 10 sixes, and an unbeaten 103 from Neil Longden (13 fours). Frecheville replied on 255-7, teenager Dean Smith smashing 83 and another junior, Mike Donson, adding 60.

Division One side Doncaster made 327-3 against Mexborough.