Nidderdale League: Ouseburn survive rain scare to put allies in drop trouble

The league leaders defied the miserable conditions to see off Harrogate Evening League allies Goldborough by two wickets in a late-night thriller, and bolster their championships ambitions.

Second-placed challengers Pannal were left ruing the weather at relegation threatened Alne as the pair shared the points despite the title hopefuls setting up a dominant position with the bat.

With just two matches left in the summer run-in, Ouse’ are now eight points ahead of their rivals at the top of Division One.

A win at home to Bishop Thornton this weekend would secure Ouseburn their second Division One championship, after winning it for the first time in 2011.

On Saturday, Goldsborough recovered from 1-2 to set Ouseburn an imposing target of 188.

Having lost Mike Cockle and Luke Forge to Ouse captain Chris Morrison’s first over, Damon Ive (31) and Luke Bickers (55) settled the bottom side’s innings before a 59-run seventh wicket partnership between Ben Mackrill (42no) and Stewart Cummins (30no) them to 187-6.

Ouseburn suffered a top order collapse to fall to 24-3 before Sam Dale’s magnificent 84 (including nine fours and four sixes) changed the course of the game.

His dismissal with the score on 164 gave Golds hope of a shock win, but, with the light failing Oli Rose (13no) and Stewart Horton (10no) saw the visitors home.

The defeat leaves Goldsborough rooted to the bottom, three points away from safety.

Burton Leonard also needed the help of their tailenders to edge past Blubberhouses by three wickets.

Stephen Wilkinson smacked 74 from just 52 balls in Blubbs’ innings as they reached 184 before being dismissed, Max Crompton taking 4-33.

Lee Platts (27) and John Wilkinson (27) also made contributions for Blubbs.

Dan Thirkell led Leonard’s chase with 54 from just 40 balls while Tom Rowlay added 29.

Blubbs were sniffing victory until number nine Crompton smashed 20 not out from 10 balls to take Leonard over the line.

Pannal had reached 208-7 against Alne when the rain ended all hope of victory, and possibly their title aspirations.

Carl Wilson led the scoring with 70 from 85 balls, while Ed McNicholas (34) and Matt Henry (35) were also in the runs.

Meanwhile, Craig Baldwin (50no) and Rob Nelson (64no) had both smacked half centuries before Bishop Thornton were halted by the rain against Spofforth.

The pair notched up a century stand for the first wicket as Bishops made 121-0 from 21 overs before the match was abandoned and the points shared.

Dacre Banks’ clash against Hampsthwaite ended at 22-0 in Dacre’s innings, while Helperby’s clash at home to Killinghall was washed out without a ball being bowled.

In Division Two, Newby Hall are almost guaranteed to be playing in the top tier next season despite the drizzle abandoning their clash at Scotton. With second-placed Darley going down to defeat at Birstwith and third-placed Ripley watching rainfall at Harrogate, Newby need one point from their last two games to secure promotion.

Shane Griffin’s men were teetering at 88-4 from 23.3 overs against Scotton when the umpires called an end to proceedings.

Tom Halliday had taken three wickets for Scotton to put pressure on the champions-elect, but Dave Wallis (26no) was well set at the crease.

Tom Croston’s unbeaten 76 proved too good for Darley as Birstwith won by 39 runs, in a match reduced to 37 overs.

Croston struck nine boundaries and two sixes in his knock, as alongside John Millward (42) Birstwith made 207-4.

Darley threw the bat in their chase but only Rob Hainsworth (62 not out) came off, with five fours and five sixes.

Nick Wain and Andrew Heard both took three wickets as Darley ended short on 168-9.

Fellow hopefuls Ripley made 171-3 in 30 overs, with Aussie Dylan O’Malley striking 66, against Harrogate Straydogs before the rain washed out the clash.

West Tanfield had been reduced to 58-5 by Pateley Bridge and Masham were 21-3 against Studley Royal 2nds before rain arrived at both games.

Galphay and Winksley and Knaresborough Forest failed to start.