Stunning return by Castleford’s Young

At one stage, Young had taken eight wickets for six runs in six almost unplayable overs and it needed a half-century from No 7 Paul Hilton to take the visitors just past the 100 mark in reply to Castleford’s 217-9. John Randerson was the winners’ outstanding batsman with 55 and Shaun Le Roux supported with 45.

Australian batsman Nick Beneke was in fine form for Sheffield United, who showed bottom of the table Doncaster Town no mercy in a 157-run victory – their first win since late June. Beneke’s 124 off 147 deliveries contained 18 fours and he shared a third-wicket partnership of 160 with Riaz Richards. Tom Steel and Zafran Ali helped to dismiss Town for 132.

Yorkshire Academy were in hungry mood at Weetwood where Sheffield United suffered a six-wicket defeat. Collegiate had topped 300 runs against Driffield in their last outing but they fielded a very youthful side this time and were skittled for 76 in 31.5 overs.

Left-arm medium-quick bowler Alex Lilley took 4-17 in seven overs and captain Alex Lees then made a half-century off 51 balls and Academy reached their target in 27.2 overs.

There was a tie at Driffield where Harrogate won the toss and posted 197 in 54.4 overs, Nick Lindley and Alexis Twigg fashioning an opening partnership of 98. Nick Hardgrave took six wickets for Driffield, who matched Harrogate’s score thanks to an unbeaten half-century from No 8 Nick Hardgrave and 36 from No 9 Grant Halder.

Spinner Tom Pringle grabbed six wickets for leaders York who won by 52 runs at third-placed Scarborough. Alex Collins and Oliver Hairs added 83 for the fourth wicket in York’s 261-8, Collins leading the way with 87 and Harris making 54.

Scarborough were in dire trouble at 115-7 with 21 overs left, but Darren Harland and No 9 batsman Simon Tennant steadied the ship with half-centuries and the overs ran out with the home side’s last pair at the wicket.

DRAKES HUDDERSFIELD: NEXT Saturday’s table-topping contest between Delph & Dobcross and Kirkburton can have a vital bearing on the Premiership title race.

Delph hold a six-point lead, while reigning champions Honley are a further point behind in third. All three clubs were victorious on Saturday, though there were a few scares on the way.

Delph made hard work of defeating fourth-placed Golcar after bowling out the hosts for 97 in 30.5 overs, Bilal Khiljee and Adnan Ghaus sharing the wickets. Delph squeezed home by three wickets in the 32nd over, Bruce Cruse making 37.

Kirkburton had little trouble in overcoming bottom of the table Barkisland by seven wickets after Ryan Robinson took 5-28 and Barkisland were sent back for 152. Matthew Wood made an undefeated half-century in the successful reply and Robinson followed up with an unbeaten 42.

Honley needed a rearguard action from Richard Jakeman and captain Rob Moore to see them to a three-wicket win against visitors Shepley, who were restricted to 139 in 44.4 overs. Honley looked in big trouble at 98-7 but Jakeman hit a match-winning 59 not out, with No 9 Moore playing a defensive role and finishing unbeaten on four.

Marsden recorded their first win since June 11 and they did it in style with 115 runs to spare at Broad Oak, with Chris Kilner the hero. Kilner made 65 towards his side’s total of 203 and then took 4-40 as Oak were felled for 84 in 35 overs.

Skelmanthorpe’s victory over visitors Hoylandswaine was their seventh in a row in league and cup. Adam Dollive and Louis Aspeling made half-centuries and James Crossland had a 5-20 haul in 10.2 overs.

Slaithwaite made it three wins out of four with an eight-wicket triumph at inconsistent Elland. Left-arm spinner Dave Berry worked his magic with 5-11 in 6.2 overs as Elland were ousted for 97 despite a defiant 46 from opener Greg Finn. Ian Holt and Wajid Hussain then had an opening stand of 63 on the way to Slaithwaite’s comfortable win.

AIRE-WHARFE: On a day when bowlers took most of the glory, none did better than Mahir Ali and Nasser Jamal for leaders Thackley.

Jamal picked up 4-5 while Ali followed up his previous week’s 6-40 with 6-10 as Green Lane were skittled for 20, Thackley losing three wickets before reaching 21.

Mark Shires took 6-58 as second-placed Kirkstall were bowled out for 122 but he still finished on the losing side, Jos Siddall (6-38) and Kevin Bennett (3-13) dismissing Adel for 89.

The trend was bucked at Collingham where Brian Leigh (80) and Ollie Hardaker (90) helped the home side to 277-7 but Follifoot passed that with six wickets to spare thanks to David Wright (66), Jim Pickles (52), Nick Robinson (50) and James Ford (46).

Dave Pennett scored a century in Guiseley’s 223-8 and then took 5-38. Abid Awan weighed in with 4-30 and even though Rawdon’s last pair managed to hang on for the draw, the five points lifted Guiseley to third in the table.

When Bilton beat Rawdon early in July, they went top of the table but since then they have taken only seven from 36 points, their latest defeat coming at the hands of Beckwithshaw with John Inglis hitting 91 to take his side past the 163 target.

Otley’s hopes of catching the leaders suffered a setback when they went down to Burley by one wicket, the visitors’ last pair putting on 27 runs. Dan Meredith took 5-25 as Otley were dismissed for 121 and was 25 at the close despite the efforts of Stewart Dobson (7-52).

North Leeds put a dent in Knaresborough’s hopes of promotion from Division Two. Defending 178, Barry Singleton took 4-60 with Taran Chana, 14, picking up 4-23, including a second spell of 3-0 in three overs, as the visitors collapsed to 145.

Steeton are within touching distance of going up after beating Olicanian by four wickets thanks to Shane McNamara (60) and Jonathan Best (4-35).

Tong Park Esholt are closer to relegation after Matt Naylor (4-40) and Calum Braddock (5-35) bowled them out for 108, a total Pool passed thanks to an unbeaten 62 from Richard Carlton.