Nidderdale League: Ton-up Aussie Brunner steers Forest out of relegation woods

Star Aussie Aaron Brunner bashed his second century of the season to haul Knaresborough Forest out of the Division One relegation zone with a six-wicket win at Alne.
Aaron BrunnerAaron Brunner
Aaron Brunner

The opening batsman scored 117 not out as Forest chased down Alne’s 204, with Jack Martin adding a quick-fire 58.

Rich Hutchinson had earlier scored 87 as Alne posted a competitive first innings total, in which Martin took four wickets.

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Darley required just 11.1 overs to overhaul Pateley Bridge as Chris Gill produced performance of note for a second week running. Gill took four wickets to bowl Bridge out for just 90 and then smacked a 30-ball score of 64 as second-placed Darley won without losing a wicket.

Spofforth were also untroubled in seeing off Bishop Thornton, although they took twice as long to reach a target of 104.

Nick Robinson (51) and Pat Gannon (48) shared the unbroken century stand after Bradley Hope had taken five wickets to dent the Bishops.

Ouseburn continue to lead the way at the top and made it nine wins in succession with a 49-run triumph over 10-man Hampsthwaite. After dropping to 11-2, Dave Cummings (52), Jamie Bryant (39) and Tom Parker (68no) led the rescue mission to guide Ouseburn up to 213-7 at the first innings close.

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Hampsthwaite lost wickets with regularity in the reply and were dismissed for 164 with Russell Robshaw snaring three victims.

Birstwith took the points from a high-scoring encounter at Helperby as wicketkeeper James Riley (107) powered a century that included five sixes.

Birstwith had 10 overs and six wickets spare in reaching Helperby’s 236-6 as Craig Robinsn (42) and Craig Armitage (45no) also made runs.

Mark (60) and Joss (55) Spilman both contributed to Helperby’s total as Robinson snared four wickets.

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West Tanfield recovered from a modest position to beat Burton Leonard by 132 runs.

Late hitting from Julian Hulbert (82) took the game away from Burton with the game poised at 153-5 midway through the first innings. Mungo Fawcett had previously smashed 15 boundaries in an exciting 80 at the top of the order, while Nicky Smith blunted the progress with 4-48.

No batsman made more than 30 as Leonard were dismissed for 152 in reply.

Riley Thompson and Will Dennis hammered tons as Markington produced a thrilling win over Harrogate Straydogs.

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Chasing an improbable target of 287, Markington won with nine balls and five wickets in hand. Dennis made an electric start with 101 before Thompson saw victory home with 112.

Jordan Marshall was unfortunate to be going home on the losing team after scorching 24 boundaries in a knock of 132 for Harrogate.

Goldsborough remain on track to return to Division One after securing a seven-wicket win at Scotton.

Jarrod McPhee (41no), Mike Cockle (40) and Damon Ive (39) ensured there were no jitters in chasing down Scotton’s modest 142-8.

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Ben Fielding set up Masham’s seven-wicket win over Blubberhouses with four wickets. Blubbs’ weak score of 93 was overhauled in 23.3 overs.

Grant Leivers hit 85 but was on the losing team as Newby Hall failed to defend 173 against Raskelf.

Bradley Clark made 51 as Raskelf earned a two-wicket win, with an over in hand.

Elsewhere, Ripley thrashed bottom of the league Thornton-le-Moor by 70 runs after scoring a massive 273-3.

And Studley Royal 2nds held their nerve to beat Dacre Banks by three runs.

After the Royals were bowled out for just 191, Banks’ innings came to a halt on 188-9.