It's folly as Steeton miss out on chance to go top (From Keighley News)

It's folly as Steeton miss out on chance to go top

1:07pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in Sport By Mike Crowther

Steeton missed a golden chance to return to the summit of the Division One table as they slipped to a 38-run defeat at Follifoot.

Third-from-bottom Bilton completed the double over leaders Collingham with a 33-run triumph but the Summerhill Laners could not take advantage at the North Yorkshire side in what was their first league loss of the season.

Opener James Ford anchored the hosts’ innings as they made 210-8. Stephen Pearson was chief wicket-taker for Steeton with 4-54, while Gary Boulton weighed in with 2-40.

The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals in reply and, despite 39 from opener Craig Walton and 54 not out from Mark Taylor, they fell short on 172 all out.

Greg Lambert (3-37) and David Wright (3-38) did the damage.

Beckwithshaw eased past Ben Rhydding by four wickets to go level on points with Steeton, just two points behind Collingham.

Charlie Swallow followed up his 47, in the Ilkley side’s 129 all out, with a 4-24 spell but was unable to prevent defeat.

David Brook (58) led Burley to 224-8 before Daniel Meredith (5-33) starred as bottom club Adel were dismissed for 114.

Ricky Halloran (5-64) also produced a match-winning spell, restricting Kirkstall to 161-9, a total Otley passed with two wickets.

Thackley overcame Guiseley by one wicket.

In Division Three, Mark Scaife (6-27) and Ally Walshaw (3-45) dismissed Silsden for 141 before Walshaw (40) and Peter Kempton (47) secured Hall Park’s victory to keep them in the promotion hunt.

Promotion-chasing Harden had to settle for four points at Bardsey in Division Two. Richard Wear continued his fine form, with 73 of Harden’s 180, but a gutsy 41no from Tom Franklin allowed Bardsey’s last pair to hang on for the draw.

Steeton II cruised to victory by six wickets at Green Lane in Division One of the second-team league.

Paul Hardwick (4-32) and Zak Pearson (3-40) helped restrict Lane to 166-9 before the visitors knocked off their target with relative ease.

Chris Luxton led the way with 49no as Dave Robinson (40) provided good support, Steeton getting home with 12 overs to spare.

S Cox made 91 for Silsden II as they made 188 all out in Division Three at home to Hall Park II but it was not enough as the visitors won by five wickets.

Harden II gained two points in a losing draw at home to Bilton II.