Conisbrough take a welcome step towards safety

The result put Conisbrough just five points behind Askern who have slipped to third bottom in the table.

Craig Jackson claimed 4-50 from 13 overs as Askern were limited to 140-8 after Lee Johnson (53) and Paul Hemmingway (32no) had guided Conisbrough to 197-8.

Andrew Lunn (3-49), Daniel O'Grady (43) and Ashley Towler (38) were best for Askern who salvaged a second batting point by scoring seven runs off the final ball courtesy of overthrows.

Fishlake's David Johnson hammered the highest individual score with a sparkling 123 at Hooton Pagnell.

He received excellent support from Peter Butterworth (49) and Nick Morley (46) as Fishlake racked up a formidable 250-7.

Ian Walker bagged 4-28 and Richard Copley 3-46 as Hooton were toppled for 168 in reply.

Division Two pacesetters Sprotbrough increased their lead to seven points with a narrow win at Barnby Dun.

Barnby's Phil Decent took 6-40 in a 15-over spell that included four maidens as Sprotbrough were restricted to 157-9 which was boosted by 51 extras. James Needham was top scorer with 23.

Barnby's reply fell narrowly short on 154-8, despite a battling 38 by Mark Wilkinson.

Michael Threapleton was Sprotbrough's best bowler with 4-33 from 14 overs.

Sprotbrough reached the semi-finals of the Secondary Yorkshire Council Champion-ship with a thrilling one-wicket win at Northowram Fields.

Threapleton (3-39), Gavin Elsmore (2-32), Needham (2-44) and Karl Buxton (2-52) bowled out Central Yorkshire League First Division champions-elect for 201.

Matt Webb (41), Mark Hargreaves (31), Threapleton (27no), Buxton (23) and Needham (22) led the way as Sprotbrough knocked off the runs.

Threapleton shared a ninth-wicket parternership of 18 with James Boswell and a match-winning unbroken last wicket stand of 13 with Steve Parkes as Sprotbrough booked a home tie against another Central Yorkshire League team Wakefield Thornes next Sunday.

Thorne Colliery slipped to second bottom in Division Two after collecting only two points against Whitley Bridge on Saturday.

Chasing 186-6 that included an unbeaten 66 by former Bradford League batsman Glyn Draper, Thorne managed only 103-6. Ian Lloyd (29) led Thorne's scoring.

In Division Three, Conisbrough A lost by eight wickets to leaders West Bretton.

Lewis Barnes (37), Ben Jackson (27) and Mark Neale (26) guided Conisbrough to 155 but it was not enough to deny West Bretton a comfortable win.

Fishlake A picked up only three points against Ryhill who climbed above them in the table.

Tim Elliott claimed 5-54 from 17 overs as Ryhill were kept at 150-9 but the target was too high for Fishlake whose reply finished on 115-9.

Phil Wood's unbeaten 17 ensured Fishlake were not bowled out. Matthew Mason (22) was the only other batsman who made an impression.

Division Four leaders Ackworth A achieved a nine-wicket victory at Sprotbrough A by overhauling the home side's 154 that included 45 by Andrew Ward.

Bentley Colliery retained second place in Division Five with a 39-run success at promotion rivals Monk Bretton A.

Dale Cox (82no) dominated Bentley's innings as they posted 149-8. Craig Hickson was next highest scorer with 24.

Chris Brown and Malc Cox made sure Monk Bretton's reply never got going.

Brown snapped up 5-20 and Cox bagged 3-18e as Monk Bretton crumbled to 110 all out.

In Division Six, Barnby Dun A lost at promoted Royston Old Town.