Leaders Whitley left stunned by Whiston

Their loss, coupled with Elsecar’s win over Houghton Main, put the Armroyd Laners right back into contention for the title.

Former Wickersley opener Andy Tomlinson punished the Whitley bowling for 101 in the home tally of 222-8, with Whitley closing on 201-9, opener Chris Siddall slamming 79, 72 of those in boundaries.

Elsecar got rid of Houghton for 163, Lachie Mckenna blasting 86, and had six wickets to spare, Jason Meadows their top bat with an unbeaten 61.

Aston Hall made 165 and dismissed Bradfield for 131, and Hallam’s 205 was just out of reach for Barnsley, 189-9.

Wickersley put themselves in the right mood for their Yorkshire Council Championship semi-final match with Elsecar yesterday with a comprehensive victory over Treeton, reaching 250-4, Shaajhan Younis hitting 63 and James Bentley (55), the visitors rushed out for 91 by Christi Viljoen and Reece Shutt. Wath finished on 196-9, the bulk of their runs from long-serving Steve Reynolds (47) and teenager Archie Ogden (44) against the bowling of Rockingham’s Richard Skipworth (5-58) and Love Kesh, (4-47). The Rocks were dismissed for 180, Mike Brown (54), with the wickets shared by Lesroy Weekes and Paul Wilkinson.

The finest match of the day saw Division Two club Conisbrough set a 291-7 challenge for guests Norton Woodseats, with a century from Gary Strephen and 67 from Scott Lowe. Norton took up the challenge and took the points with their reply of 295-4, thanks to a great 138-1 start by Neil Johnson (107) and James Eyre (56). Top bowler of the day was Sheffield United’s Doug Louth, who grabbed 9-81 in the fine win at Whitley Hall B in Division Two, and top batsman was Thorpe Hesley’s opener Mick Banks, with a superb 152 in the Division Three win at Thorncliffe.