Round-up of league & cup games played on 1 & 2 August

We apologise for the fact that, due to illness, it has not been possible to provide our usual round-up this week. Steve Birch at South Yorkshire Sport has, however, kindly forwarded us their round-up, which we reproduce below, with grateful thanks. 

 

 

Sheffield Collegiate strengthened their position at the top of the ECB Premier Division after Jack Timby’s superb century guided them to a 74-run victory over Appleby Frodingham at Abbeydale. Timby made 106 and shared a second-wicket partnership worth 101 with Sheryaar Ali as the leaders recovered from the loss of Abdul Faseeh to post 246-9. Paul Hilton claimed 5-62 for the visitors, but Collegiate’s bowlers then took charge, dismissing Appleby for 172 despite a half-century from Paras Ratnaparkhe. Second-placed Cleethorpes remain firmly in contention after piling up 311-7 against Sprotbrough at Chichester Road. Nicholas Keast dominated the innings with a brilliant 115 from just 81 deliveries, while Jordan Cook (57) and Alexander Osmond (54) added further late impetus. Sprotbrough never threatened the target and were bowled out for 167 with Thomas Langley among the few batsmen to offer prolonged resistance. Cawthorne stayed third after edging a low-scoring contest against Whitley Hall. The hosts were dismissed for 140 in 46.5 overs, but Naqeeb Ullah produced a decisive spell of 5-26 to bowl Whitley out for 132. Muhammad Ashraf provided the main resistance for Whitley, but Cawthorne secured a valuable victory in a match dominated by the bowlers. Doncaster Town bounced back with a 46-run win over Hallam at the Spinks Ground. Taylor Fell anchored the innings with 57 as Town posted 201-7 from their 50 overs. Hallam never quite kept pace in reply and were eventually dismissed for 155 with Town’s attack sharing the wickets. At Church Fields, Wakefield Thornes successfully chased down 202 to defeat Whiston Parish Church by seven wickets. Daniel Kemp’s 58 helped Whiston reach 201-7, but James Rhodes continued his excellent campaign with 75 and Safiullah Abrar added 58 as Thornes eased home with almost ten overs to spare. Wickersley Old Village completed a two-wicket victory over Tickhill. The visitors were bowled out for 146, with Jim Morgan top-scoring, before Mike Jepps led the chase with 63. Wickersley reached their target despite losing wickets regularly and remain firmly in the Premier Division pack. 

 

 

Leaders Ackworth continued their march towards promotion with a comfortable seven-wicket success at Oughtibridge. The home side were dismissed for 176, and Ackworth's batsmen made light work of the chase, reaching 177-3 in little more than 30 overs. Second-placed Barnsley Woolley Miners maintained the pressure after posting 260-7 against Upper Haugh. Ali Zaryab again led the way with 66 while Zarmash Tarakhil contributed 57. Connor Sanderson replied with 63 for Upper Haugh, but the visitors could only reach 200-8. Zaryab has now set a new YCSPL record of 1,330 league runs in the season. One of the most dramatic finishes of the season came at Stonelow where Coal Aston and Sheffield Collegiate 2nds tied. Collegiate were bowled out for 231 after batting first, and Coal Aston looked beaten before Regan Sheahan and Harry Simpson transformed the chase with a century eighth-wicket partnership. The hosts eventually finished on exactly 231-9 after their 50 overs. Rockingham Colliery produced an impressive display at Elsecar. The hosts struggled to 158-9 from their allocation and Rockingham replied with 160-2, Lasith Lakshan making an unbeaten half-century in a dominant eight-wicket win. There was a high-scoring affair at Aston Hall where Doncaster Town 2nds successfully chased 217. Nathan Ward made 68 and Muhammad Khan 57 for Aston, but Robert Grace’s 61 helped Town complete the chase with five wickets in hand. Shiregreen recorded one of the division’s biggest wins, dismissing Tickhill 2nds for 107 after posting 241.  

 

 

Leaders Warmsworth produced the batting performance of the weekend and perhaps the season. James Loveridge struck 111 and Limar Pierce added 102 in a magnificent second-wicket stand worth over 200 as Warmsworth amassed 303-3 against Conisbrough. The visitors fought hard, reaching 242-9 with Mathew Lowe making 67, but still finished 61 runs short. Whitley Hall 2nds maintained their challenge with a dominant victory over Cawthorne 2nds. Andrew Pickering made 58, Lewis Wroe contributed 63 and Sam Chatterton fell just short of a deserved century with 94 as Hall amassed 352-7. Cawthorne never threatened the target and were dismissed for 212. A superb century from Stephen Foster powered Treeton to victory over Monk Bretton. Foster hit 103 and shared a stand of 151 with Gareth Davis, who contributed 58, as the home side reached 273-8. Monk Bretton were then bowled out for 172. Wickersley Old Village 2nds strengthened their position with a seven-wicket win at Wath. Openers Haider Raja (75) and Chris Cobb (72) dominated a stand worth 151 before guiding their side to a successful chase of 193. Frickley Colliery defeated Parkhead by eight wickets, while Houghton Main chased down 197 to secure victory at West Bretton. 

 

 

Leaders Norton Oakes suffered no slip-up against Aston Hall 2nds, posting 251-7 before bowling the visitors out for just 97. Nqobile Sibanda and Joshua Cross both contributed half-centuries while the bowlers completed a comprehensive victory. Hatfield Town continued their pursuit of the leaders by chasing 205 against Hallam 2nds. Luke Cockburn anchored the innings with 57 as Hatfield won by seven wickets. Ben Hyman’s excellent century guided Millhouses Works to 225-8 against Barnsley Woolley Miners 2nds, before Lee Stewart claimed 5-19 to bowl the visitors out for 103. Norton Woodseats defeated Sheffield Collegiate 3rds after Daniel Loughlin and Hamzah Shah both passed fifty in a successful chase of 196. Elsecar 2nds defeated Thorpe Hesley & High Green, while Penistone secured victory over Wakefield Thornes 2nds despite a determined effort from Harley Cushan. 

 

 

Promotion-chasing Frecheville Community kept the pressure on the leading clubs after a six-wicket victory at Rockingham Colliery 2nds. Todd Saxelby returned excellent figures of 5-29 as Rockingham were dismissed for 128, before Ashan Lakmal’s 56 guided Frecheville to 131-4. Coal Aston 2nds continued their impressive campaign with a hard-fought two-wicket victory at Sprotbrough 2nds. The home side posted 216 thanks largely to 61 from Callum Marsh, but Coal Aston chased successfully with two balls remaining and reaching 217-8. Darfield strengthened their position near the top after defeating Sheffield United by four wickets. United were bowled out for 182 and Darfield replied with 185-6 inside 43 overs to secure maximum points. 

There was an entertaining contest at Upper Haugh where Upper Haugh 2nds chased down Higham’s substantial 218-4. Harry Bamforth blasted 57 and Ryan Bagshaw added 56 for the visitors, but Mathew Bacon struck 77 as Upper Haugh reached 219-7 with more than eight overs to spare. Worsbrough Bridge collected a valuable victory over Oughtibridge 2nds. The home side made 217-8 before Joe McLee capped an excellent all-round display by taking 5-55 as Oughtibridge were dismissed for 137. Elsewhere, Wath 2nds conceded to Shiregreen 2nds. 

 

 

The promotion race remains finely balanced despite leaders Whiston Forge suffering a narrow defeat at Stocksbridge. Chasing 171, Stocksbridge reached 173-9 in a tense finish to deny the leaders and keep themselves firmly in contention. Second-placed Sheffield University Staff also continued their challenge with a 55-run victory over Treeton 2nds. Sabeethan Kanagasingham made 56 and Jeffin Jimmy added 57 as Staff posted 231-8, before restricting Treeton to 176-7 despite 55 from Ryan Hardy. Kexborough produced one of the most dominant performances of the day after piling up 285-6 against Sheffield Caribbean. The visitors were then skittled for just 100 to give Kexborough a crushing 185-run success. Ackworth 2nds stayed firmly in touch with the leading pack after amassing 275-6 against Barnsley Woolley Miners 3rds. Arran Taylor hammered 60 from only 33 balls, while Karl Buxton later claimed 5-20 as Miners collapsed to 95-9. Pledwick collected a useful victory at Bradfield Village Fellowship. Will Higson made 59 for the home side, but Pledwick successfully chased 160, reaching 161-5 despite Henry Harris returning figures of 5-55. 

 

 

Leaders Wombwell Main maintained their advantage with an emphatic 153-run victory over Barnby Dun. Elliot Mann made 61 in a total of 284-9 before Barnby were bowled out for just 131. Second-placed Waverley remain firmly on the leaders’ heels after thrashing Millhouses Works 2nds by 144 runs. Sajid Hussain blasted 71 from only 36 balls as Waverley reached 222-9 before dismissing their visitors for 78. Hatfield Town 2nds edged a low-scoring encounter with Warmsworth 2nds. Warmsworth were bowled out for 101 and Hatfield scraped home by two wickets after reaching 102-8. Maltby Miners Welfare enjoyed an excellent afternoon at Abbeydale. After posting 196-8 against Sheffield Collegiate 4ths, they bowled the hosts out for 134 to secure a 62-run victory. Penistone 2nds defeated Hallam 3rds by eight wickets after chasing 142, while Silkstone United bowled out Thorpe Hesley & High Green 2ndsfor only 86, and beat them by seven wickets. 

 

 

Unbeaten leaders Sheffield Centralians again showcased the batting strength that has carried them clear at the top. Three batsmen passed fifty against Fishlake, with Adeeb Khan making 74, Aleem Khan 77 and Rabnawaz Khan 61 in a commanding total of 270. Fishlake were then bundled out for 115 as Centralians maintained their promotion charge. At Green Moor, Satvir Singh produced one of the most destructive innings of the weekend. Arriving with his side in difficulty, he blasted 105 from only 79 balls, including nine fours and eight sixes, to propel Green Moor to 192. His innings transformed the match and laid the platform for a 50-run victory over Sheffield United 2nds. There was a remarkable bowling display for Conisbrough 2nds against Whitley Hall 3rds. Charlie Tippett claimed 5-18 and Tom Humphries followed with 5-10 as Hall were dismissed for just 62. The hosts needed only 7.3 overs to complete victory. Parkhead 2nds defeated Handsworth by 58 runs after posting 216-7, while Wadworth successfully defended 202 against Whiston Parish Church 2nds and Sheffield Caribbean 2nds chased down 136 to beat Scholes & Harley. 

 

 

Leaders Stocksbridge 2nds maintained their advantage after chasing 137 against Doncaster Town 4ths, completing victory with more than five overs remaining. Mexborough Athletic stayed in touch following a four-wicket win at Higham 2nds, while Darfield 2nds edged a close contest against Bradfield Village Fellowship 2nds, reaching their target of 145 with five wickets in hand. At Middlecliff Lane, Houghton Main 2nds bowled Rockingham Colliery 3rds out for 85 before comfortably chasing down 110. Although no batsman reached fifty, the home attack shared the wickets to keep their promotion hopes alive. 

 

 

Leaders Sheffield Medics continued to set the pace after dismissing Brookhouse for 91 and reaching their target with five wickets to spare. 

Sheffield Super Kings remain among the leading contenders after chasing 191 against Coal Aston 3rds. Nathan Clarke struck 57 for the home side, but Pranesh Sankar answered with a match-winning 62 as Super Kings reached 194-7. At Olive Grove, Ibrar Khan made 52 for Sheffield Centralians 2nds in their 162 before the hosts dismissed Sheffield Transport for 141. The most one-sided encounter came at Allama Iqbal, where The Chronicles England bowled their opponents out for just 23 before racing to victory. 

 

 

Promotion rivals Frickley Colliery 2nds and Eden Madras Parklands both continued their winning runs. Frickley piled up 268-8 against Upper Haugh 3rds, with Chris Bird recording a fine half-century. Earlier in the innings Adam Wilkinson helped launch the assault, while an extraordinary 39 extras further boosted the total. Upper Haugh were then dismissed for 102. Eden Madras Parklands successfully defended 227 against Pledwick 2nds, keeping the pressure on the leaders with a 29-run victory. At Sandygate, Hallam 4ths dismissed West Bretton 2nds for 100 after posting 185-9, while Monk Bretton 2nds completed a five-wicket victory over Sprotbrough 3rds. 

 

 

The closest finish came at Elsecar, where Elsecar 3rds recovered to edge past Norton Oakes 2nds by a single wicket. Chasing 143, they reached their target with only one wicket in hand. Waverley 2nds produced the highest score in the division, amassing 258-8 before restricting Hallam 5ths to 160-8. 

De La Salle also enjoyed a dramatic finish, reaching 150-9 to beat Sheffield Spartans by one wicket. Meanwhile, Sheffield Transport 2nds and Sheffield Collegiate 5ths played out one of the rarest results in cricket, both sides being bowled out for exactly 78 in a tie. 

 

 

Leaders Sheffield University Staff 2nds produced arguably the performance of the weekend across the lower divisions. They blasted 268-1 before skittling Mexborough Athletic 2nds for just 58, completing a crushing 210-run victory that strengthens their grip on top spot. Eden Madras Parklands 2nds stayed in contention after making 186-9 and then bowling out Sprotbrough 4ths for 130. Lokesh Ramakrishna was again among the runs, helping set up another important victory. Kexborough 2nds defeated Fishlake 2nds by 65 runs after posting 214, while Dearne comfortably chased down 51 against Higham 3rds. 

 

 

Leaders Whiston Forge 2nds maintained their advantage after dismissing Scholes & Harley 2nds for 129. Opener Sam Reed then anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century as Forge reached 133-1. At Beauchief, William Baker produced a match-winning innings of 68 to steer De La Salle 2nds to a two-wicket victory over Coal Aston 4ths. His third-wicket partnership with David Harrison proved decisive in a chase of 165. Frecheville Community 2nds edged home by a single wicket against Oughtibridge 3rds, while there were also wins for Richmond and Tickhill 3rds. 

 

On Sunday, cup action saw Barnsley Woolley Miners progress to the the Whitworth Cup final on 16 August after defeating Doncaster Town 2nds by seven wickets at tghe Spinks Ground. Harrison Hayes took 5-39 when Town were dismissed for 120; then forties from Ali Zaryab and Harvey Round saw the visitors home. 

 

In the Mick Savage Trophy, Frickley Colliery restricted Monk Bretton to 144-9; and opener Tom Hemingway's 41 then set up a five-wicket win. James Ahmeds unbeaten 78 was the backbone of Whitley Hall 2nds' 219-6 at Smithywood Road; then, despite 59 from Elliot Couldwell and 77 not out from Naeem Bashir, Thorpe Hesley & High Green fell 16 short on 203 all out. Frickley play Whitley Hall 2nds in the final at Darfield on 23 August.