IT MAY have taken half a season to happen but Elsecar finally showed the form and threat that led them to the league title last season as they demolished free-scoring Whitley Hall at Baxter Field.

Whitley have shown excellent form with the bat this season but meeting the Elsecar attack threw all that out of the window as Manaj Chanaka and 17-year-old Nathan Musslewhite set about terrorising them.

Chanaka's recent arrival has given Elsecar a much needed shot in the arm and they will rue the fact the Sri Lankan was not on board for their stuttering start to the campaign.

Both Whitley openers were gone with just 20 runs scored, and Ainsley Swallow joined the attack to craft a middle order collapse with his
pace and accuracy. Swallow captured five wickets for the loss of just eight runs in a nine over spell that featured six maidens.

Whitley danger man Donovan Koch fell to Swallow with his score on 27 as his side fell for just 83. Chanaka took 3-35 as his good start to life at Armroyd Lane continued.

Elsecar needed just 16.5 overs and one wicket to secure victory. Jason Meadows delivered another superb knock with eight fours in his unbeaten 40 while Ian Swallow had reached 26 by the close.

Tickhill 172-8 Wath 174-7
A GLORIOUS chance to claw some points back in the title chase went begging for Wath as they failed to bowl out an improving Tickhill side at Alderson Drive.

Leaders Treeton could not dismiss Houghton Main elsewhere which left Wath with a golden opportunity to get within touching distance of the juggernaut table toppers but great resolution from the hosts ensured only an incomplete win was taken back to Moor Road.

Gayan Fernando was once again causing trouble in the Wath whites as he had Tickhill slumping to 22-3 but the latest acquisition to the Alderson Drive cause – Ibrar Qadoos from Appleby Frodingham – painstakingly built up the innings with 63 in 133 balls. Qadoos added 50 for the fourth wicket with Ashley Fiddler and 66 for the sixth wicket with Kashif Raza who went on to make 44.

After Fernando's early impact, Wath were unable to complete the job as Tickhill closed on 172-8 though the Sri Lankan took 4-60.

Wath's first two wickets were gone by the time they had 33 on the board but opener James Barnard stayed strong to push them into command with a fine 37 while Steve Reynolds added 41 and the ever-reliable Lesroy Weekes produced 39 to take them within sight of victory. The total was passed with six overs to go and seven wickets gone as Raza took 3-40 and Chris Jevons 3-63.

Houghton Main 147-9 Treeton 150-3
THE THREAT of relegation still hangs over Houghton Main who cannot seem to push themselves over the line but they produced a resolute performance to frustrate title favourites Treeton at Middlecliffe.

Houghton looked set for a short stay in the centre as they staggered from a frightening 22-4 to a not quite better 54-5.

But Treeton did not account for Rich Jones who produced one of his thrilling knocks to steady the ship.

Jones approached each innings in the manner of a 20-20 contest and did not disappoint this time around with seven sixes and two fours as he raced to 63 in just 51 balls.

When Jones departed Houghton were at 98-6 and the remaining order ensured a tricky total for Treeton to overcome as the innings was lifted to 147-9 by the close. Stephen Foster took 3-28 for Treeton, who could not remove the last man.

Star performer Andrew Tomlinson produced a great show for Treeton as he stayed in full control from the outset to knock and unbeaten 111 in his side's 150-3. Tomlinson found the boundary 17 times and took just 96 balls for his remarkable achievement that carried his side home comfortably.

Darfield 182-9 Rotherham Phoenix 220-3
A FIRST earned point and a much improved performance brightened up the grey skies that have hung over Darfield throughout this season, but their relegation woes were not eased much as they slipped to another defeat to Rotherham Phoenix.

Haidar Jahangir and Amir Riaz compiled an opening stand of 77 for Phoenix until the latter departed with a 33 run haul. Jahangir stayed until he reached 89 while Asadullah Butt produced an unbeaten 58 as Phoenix made a very healthy 220-3.

Darfield looked set for a crushing defeat at 69-4 but Craig Pickerill and Jon Parkin helped them get on the right track to make a go of the target.

The pair added 86 for the fifth wicket with Pickerill hitting 41 and Parkin 46. The last pairing held on at 182-9 to secure a precious point.
Other results: Barnsley 130 Hallam 197; Wickersley OV 273-7 Collegiate 205.