Wilkinson destroys below-par Elsecar

Champions Elsecar shocked their supporters when slumping to a comprehensive defeat at Wath. Their bowlers did their job, seeing off the hosts for 115, Iftikhar Afzal bagging 4-28 and Ishan Jayarathna (3-30,) but Elsecar’s strong batting line-up were skittled for just 51, most of the damage done by Paul Wilkinson’s 7-29 stint.

Whitley Hall powered to another quick win at Wickersley, the home team setting a target of 181-8, opener Haidar Jahangir slamming 62, after partner Neil Longden went for a duck, Mike Donson boosted the total with a late 44. Alex Welsh grabbed five cheap wickets for Whitley, who stormed to an eight-wicket win, opener Welsh lashing 15 boundaries in his 83, partner Neil Longhurst cracking 66.

Whiston also celebrated an eight-wicket triumph, sending back Coal Aston for 92, Jafar Nasir claimig 6-41. They then eased to victory with Andy Tomlinson unbeaten on 43 and Scott Jones adding 35.

Aston Hall fell for 94 at Hallam, the wickets shared by Neil Mountjoy and Jesse Hemingway.

However, Aston had attackers for the occasion in Uzman Azeem (5-7) and Asadullah Butt (3-13), who had Hallam back in the pavilion for just 63.

Houghton Main battled to a narrow win over visitors Barnsley, who came in at 161-6, Kunal Razdan top bat with 48. Houghton just made it to 163-9, Alec Elliott main scorer with 30, while youngster Callum Bethel claimed 3-41 for Barnsley.

Treeton were in a hurry when entertaining Darfield, skittling the guests for only 59, all-rounder Steve Foster grabbing 6-30 to set up a seven-wicket success.

The closest match of the day saw Elsecar B collect 250-3 in Division One, Adrian Meadows hammering the only century of the day, an unbeaten 133. Guests Norton Woodseats achieved a tie with their 250-9 with half-centuries from James and Thomas Eyre.