Pool storm to the top as rivals are washed out (From Ilkley Gazette)

Pool storm to the top as rivals are washed out

10:13am Thursday 5th July 2012 in Sport

Pool made the most of their match at Bardsey beating the weather as they seized the opportunity to go top of Division Two.

While their rivals were frustrated by the wettest June weather on record, Pool secured a four-wicket win that enabled them to take the leadership from Green Lane.

Bardsey were restricted to 98-9 as Callum Braddock (3-22) spear- headed their bowling attack.

Opener James Ward made 47 as Pool reached their target for the loss of six wickets.

They are now one point ahead of Green Lane who were facing a determined Knaresborough side that set a 202-6 target before rain intervened.

Alex Bailey hit 80 as Ilkley scored 194-4 against North Leeds while four wickets from George Myers helped Rawdon restrict Olicanian to 164-7. Rawdon were 64-2 when the game was stopped.

It may have been the most miserable June cricket weather in living memory but you won’t find Majid Inayat complaining too loudly.

Silsden’s overseas signing from Oman has shone in the gloom and heproduced another outstanding display to help his side overcome Woodhouse, one of only two Aire-Wharfe League games to produce a result at the weekend.

Inayat’s 52 means he has hit three half centuries and a century in league and cup during June. Together with Craig Thornton (34) and Matthew Shuttleworth (28), he helped his side to 164.

Woodhouse were dismissed for 148 as Silsden claimed only their second win of the campaign.

Elsewhere, the picture was a gloomy procession to and from the pavilion trying to get matches completed, mostly in vain.

The much anticipated clash between the top two in Division One, Steeton and Collingham, lasted only 20 overs at which stage Collingham had reached 112-3 with John Swain looking menacing at 61no.

Mahir Ali followed up an unbeaten half century last week with 42no as Thackley reached 136-6 before the rain drove them off at Otley. Ricky Halloran's 4-54 spell was his third four-wicket haul of the season.

Bilton were recovering from 29-4 to 144-6 when their match against Burley was abandoned and Guiseley restricted Adel to 65-2 before the game was called off after 17 overs.

The unluckiest side were Ben Rhydding who were within two wickets of pulling off a major shock against title hopefuls Kirkstall before the umpires called it a day.

Charlie Swallow (46) and Jason Wright (67) were the backbone of their 214-8 and then Wright turned destroyer with a nine-over spell of 4-19 as the home side struggled to 111-8. There were still 13 overs remaining to pick up the last two wickets when the game was stopped.

In Division Three, Will Atkins (66) and Jason Smith (77) starred in Addingham's 205-6 with Matthew Bates taking 4-64 but Horsforth's innings was ended at 8-0.

Tong Park were one of the sides quite relieved to see the rain after Illingworth bowled them out for just 97, as were Menston who only managed to reach 78 against leaders Colton thanks to stubborn 27 from No9 batsman Ryan Robinson.

In contrast, having dismissed Alwoodley for 120 thanks to Ally Walshaw (4-35) and Darren Burger (3-24), Hall Park were cruising to victory at 92-1 when they were called off. Walshaw was unbeaten on 44 and Sean Atkinson made 32.