Longhurst and Welsh cut loose for the Hall

THERE were emphatic wins for the two unbeaten Premier Division pace-setters Whitley Hall and champions Treeton.

The Ecclesfield club dismissed former champions Wickersley for 234, Adam Wilson putting in another five-wicket performance, and replied with 238-4.

Former Sheffield United all-rounder Neil Longhurst made 87 off 47 balls, striking 80 in boundaries, and Alex Welsh adding a belligerent 80 to his three-wicket stint.

Treeton also notched their fourth victory in succession when reaching 238-4 with half-centuries from Danny Kemp and captain Chris Cobb, before toppling Hallam for 127. Humphrey Emery hit a defiant 62 as the wickets were shared by Dave Burden and Steve Foster. Treeton batsman Andy Tomlinson had a quiet game, his modest 30 following knocks of 72, 124 and 113.

Top-flight newcomers Whiston were delighted to collect the scalp of multiple champions Elsecar with a five-wicket triumph.

They dismissedg the hosts for 168, Luke Townsend hitting 73, before Whiston went on to their shock win with half-centuries from Steve Taylor and Asadullah Butt, who had shared the Elsecar wickets.

Phoenix's 251-4 was too many for guests Tickhill, who closed at 228-6. The bulk of Phoenix's runs came from Amir Riaz (79) and Amar Rashid (72). Tom Barnett struck 51 for Tickhill.

Houghton Main took full points at Barnsley, knocks of 66 from Steve Secker and 44 from Lucas Dredge steering them to 232-8. Barnsley fell just short on 217 Simon Potter making an unbeaten 72, and Ben O'Brien striking 56.

The only century-maker in the Premier Division was Aston Hall's Scott Jones, who powered his way to a fine 120 in their 221-9 only to finish on the losing side as Wath answered with 222-6, Matt Burrows making 64 and former Elsecar star Lesroy Weekes hitting an unbeaten 57 to follow his 6-43 effort.

There were eight other centurions in the lower divisions, led by Thorncliffe star Nilantha Cooray with an unbeaten 173 against Sheffield United, and Rotherham Town's Gerhard Rudolph, with 160 in the Division One match against Norton Woodseats.