Simpson finally back in century routine

Simpson carried his bat for 133, his innings containing 16 boundaries. He shared a second-wicket partnership of 115 with Samrat Sharma, who contributed a half-century, and Simpson put on 87 with Mark Tennant for the third wicket.

Chasing Scarborough’s 296-4, Castleford were bowled out for 178 in 40.5 overs, middle-order batsman James Logan hitting 12 fours and a six in an unbeaten 79. Anthony Hunter was Scarborough’s best bowler with 3-32 from his six overs.

Gurman Randhawa and captain James Moorehouse had an opening partnership of 109 in Rotherham’s 12-run victory over Hull at Clifton Lane. Randhawa, Moorehouse and Jordan Lowe enjoyed half-centuries as Town reached 260-7 in their 55 overs, despite a five-wicket haul by Dave Barrick.

Spinner Randhawa then took 4-96 and although Hull came up short with two wickets standing, captain Martin Wilkinson blasted five sixes and joined Barrick in making a half-century.

York reduced Harrogate’s lead to seven points with a 41-run win over Yorkshire Academy at Weetwood. Spinner Dan Woods took five wickets and Ryan McKendry removed four batsmen but Academy opener Ryan Gibson had the consolation of making 79.

Harrogate had to be content with six points from their four-wicket home win against Cleethorpes, whose last pair were at the wicket after 55 overs. Alexis Twigg struck a half-century for Harrogate and Vic Craven combined figures of 3-26 with a useful 32.

Barnsley defeated Appleby Frodingham by four wickets. Tony Manning and James Pickersgill put on 124 for the fourth wicket as the visitors totalled 
245-7. Manning was run out for 98 off Barnsley’s last over, looking for his century. Chasing 245-7, Barnsley lost three wickets in the last two overs but, needing three off the final over, Matthew Wilson hit the winning runs.

All-rounder Lambert sparkles for Nelson

ALL-rounder Michael Lambert gave an outstanding display as Hunslet Nelson climbed to third in the Premier Division by beating strugglers Northowram Fields.

Lambert (62) and Robert Barker (54) put on 122 for the eighth wicket as Hunslet recovered from 56-7 to post 185.

In reply, Lambert (7-25) sent Northowram reeling from 30-2 to 58 all out to inflict their sixth successive league defeat.

Northowram are just three points ahead of bottom side Batley, who lost by six wickets at leaders Wrenthorpe.

Dan Wood (46) guided Wrenthorpe to victory after Joe Ellis (4-27), Tom Glover (4-43) and Greig Batty (2-40) routed Batley for 116.

Wrenthorpe stayed seven points clear of closest rivals Methley, who won by 15 runs at New Farnley. Vele Dukoski (50) and Marcus Walmsley (46) guided Methley to 200-9 and Michael Waite (4-34) bowled out Farnley for 185 in reply, despite Montcin Hodge’s 78.

Wakefield Thornes eased their relegation worries with a 10-wicket win at Birstall, who were toppled for 108 by Sri Lankan Nadeera Nawela (4-26), Matthew Varley (3-36) and Jared Warner (2-20).

Openers Nawela (56no) and Richard Foster (35no) shared an unbroken 109-run stand as Thornes knocked off the runs in just 14.4 overs.

Carlton improved their chances of avoiding relegation when all-rounder Elsroy Powell (80 and 5-41) gave them the edge at Townville.

Altofts and Mirfield Parish Cavaliers were involved in the top-flight’s second tie this season.

Simon Steel (66) and Dominic Richardson (41) steered Altofts to 146 and Cavaliers replied with an identical total after last man Mohammad Zeb, attempting a winning run, was run out by James Barrington. David Winn (66) led Cavaliers’ scoring.

Ossett stepped up their Division One title bid by trouncing East Ardsley, Shoaib Latif (110) and Robert Wade (95) sharing an opening 195-run stand as Ossett made 305-7.

Atkinson’s six-hit spree stuns Saints

It was a great day for the Division One new boys with Lightcliffe ending Woodlands’ unbeaten run and Saltaire defeating second-placed Cleckheaton.

Lightcliffe beat Woodlands by 51 runs, a result that moves them into third place, just 38 points behind the defending champions with six matches to go.

Chris Taylor (63) and Alex Stead (55) helped Lightcliffe to make 220-6 before dismissing Woodlands for 169 with spinner Chris Greenwood taking 3-58.

Cleckheaton dropped from second to fourth after their eight-wicket defeat by Saltaire.

Irfan Amjad hit an unbeaten 101 as Saltaire chased down Cleckheaton’s 241-9. Amjad was joined in an opening stand of 129 by Farhan Khan (71). He also put on an unbroken 100 for the third wicket with Fahid Rehman (44no).

Former Saltaire player Tim Jackson (45), Mally Nicholson (43) and Ammar Mahmood (40) were Cleckheaton’s main contributors.

East Bierley went second after a 111-run win over relegation-threatened Farsley. Captain Lee Goddard made 103 to help East Bierley to 245-7 despite the efforts of Ian Philliskirk (4-66).

Barrie Frankland (50) could not save Farsley from being bowled out for 134 as Luke Jarvis took 3-39.

There was a further setback for Farsley when Pudsey Congs defeated Undercliffe by four wickets. The result leaves Farsley in the relegation places, 22 points behind Congs.

Bottom-team Undercliffe looked to be heading for a big score when openers Callum Geldart (72) and Matthew Bottomley (48) put on 124, but they collapsed to 200 all out against Basil Akram (3-18), Eugene Burzler (3-32) and captain Glenn Roberts (3-49.

Burzler crowned a good all-round performance by making 69 as he and Andrew Bairstow (47) secured a valuable win for Congs.

Bradford & Bingley’s Alex Atkinson and Scott Etherington shone in their side’s 56-run win at Pudsey St Lawrence. Atkinson made a stunning 151 with eight sixes and 15 fours and was joined in a second-wicket stand of 214 by Etherington (81), who went on to claim 6-36.