Nidderdale League: Ouseburn secure Division One crown as hat-trick boosts Birstwith hopes

A 68-run victory over Bishop Thornton completed their second Division One title of this decade, after last winning the league crown in 2011.

Almost 1,000 runs at the top of the order from brothers Tom (479) and Sam Parker (484) have been critical to Ouse’ regaining the championship.

However Sam fell without score on Saturday before Tom (88) and David Cummings (75) struck a massive partnership to put Ouse’ well in control.

Sam Dale’s late 65 not out blasted the champions up to 273-7 at the close of their 45 overs, with Dan Harris taking 4-73 for Bishop Thornton.

Harris continued his form to make 62, but he found support lacking as Cummings took four wickets and Dale three to bowl them out for 165.

League secretary Graham Hyde said: “Ouseburn are very strong in all departments. The acquisitions of Russell Robshaw and more latterly David Cummings have added greater strength and they have been guaranteed runs from the Parker brothers.

“They are all youngish and good friends which I think makes the difference.”

Long-term rivals Pannal finally gave up the ghost as they collapsed to an eight-wicket defeat against Helperby.

Helperby opener Dan Marston snaffled five wickets as Pannal stuttered to 223-9 from the initial 45 overs, with John Strover making 55.

Atish Chouhan then compiled a magnificent century, his second of the summer, to cement victory for third-placed Helperby, who also had Joe Kinsella (49) and Matt Cavanagh (31no) in the runs.

Despite missing out, Pannal will finish second in their first year back in the top tier.

Burton Leonard had three men left in the hut as they beat relegation threatened Dacre Banks by four wickets.

Mian Nabeel’s 62 in 47 balls had rescued Dacre from Nicky Smith’s viscous opening spell, which warranted four wickets for 39 runs, as the visitors scrambled to 213 all out.

Leonard needed a 79-run seventh-wicket stand from Mike Stansfield (40no) and Max Crompton (36no) to clinch the win after Stephen Butler’s 4-68 put victory in Dacre’s sights.

Hampsthwaite ensured the relegation battle would go on until the final match of the season with a 55-run win over third bottom Alne.

Shaun Van Dam smashed 69 alongside fellow opener James Cousen as Hamps’ made 221 all out, with Shaun Foulds (4-24) impressing with the ball.

Alne were always struggling in their chase as their top order fell cheaply. Alex Durie’s four wickets left them dangling on 166-9 at the close.

Goldsborough remain rooted to the bottom and in need of a final day victory to survive after a 73-run humbling at Spofforth.

Tom Clark’s 60 and Joe Horne’s run-a-ball 44 took Spofforth to 234-7 before Goldsborough could only manage 160-8.

Veteran batsman Damon Ive (65) topscored while Mike White took five wickets.

Meanwhile, mid-table side Blubberhouses chased down Killinghall’s 219-6 with six wickets spare.

Birstwith kept the fight for Division Two promotion alive with a tense seven-run win over champions Newby Hall.

Pete Hardisty’s unbeaten 72 got Birtswith out of trouble as they posted a modest 175-9, Dave Henstock took 4-30.

Grant Leivers made 87, before George Hirst’s hat-trick changed the course of the game.

Hirst (5-37) had Craig Griffin caught behind before Andy Robertson was caught by Nick Wain and Harry Dawson’s stumps were sent tumbling.

Newby ended up on 168-8, mightily short of handing the second promotion spot to Darley, who relegated Harrogate 3rds on Saturday.

Tashmial Henry smacked 118 as second-placed Darley totalled 218. Harrogate were never in contention though, as Michael Beecroft and Joe Furniss both took four wickets to bowl them out for 127.

Harrogate’s demise was franked as Studley Royal beat relegated Galphay and Winksley by 92 runs, after initially making 182-7.

Miles Sutton smashed 10 sixes as he made 126 not out for Pateley Bridge in their 31-run win over Scotton.

Rob Ellerkey made a century himself for Scotton but they finished on 221-6 chasing Pateley’s massive 252-8.

Aussie Dylan O’Malley fired his fourth hundred to take his personal run count to 887 in Ripley’s two-wicket defeat against West Tanfield.

Andrew Hogan’s unbeaten 120 trumped his counterpart as Tanfield chased down 223-8 with five balls spare.

Knaresborough Forest beat Masham by 65 runs after bowling the visitors out for 132, chasing 197-7.