Colliery dig deep for promotion boost

Steve Ashworth (56), Dave Housley (25) and Craig Hickson (25) led Bentley to 130. Tony Smith claimed 5-26 as bottom team Yorkshire Main were skittled for 76 in reply. Conisbrough's Division One relegation worries increased when they lost by seven wickets against fellow strugglers Crofton. Steve Hughes (38) and Des Steel (23) were the only batsman to make an impression as Conisbrough were bowled out for 131, which Crofton comfortably overhauled in 25 overs thanks to an unbeaten 58 by Steve Elliott. It was the only completed match in the top two divisions in Saturday's rain-hit programme. A second-wicket stand of 79 between Mark Davies (54no) and John Ellis (35) steered Fishlake to 117-3 from 34 overs against Stainborough before the game was abandoned. Askern collected one bowling point at Featherstone. Paul Bradbury (4-30 from 11 overs) had Featherstone reeling at 67-5 but Miles Robinson (60no) and Keith Hardaker (22no) rescued the innings with an unbroken 91-run stand to steer the hosts to 158-5 from 34 overs before bad weather intervened. Barnby Dun were cursing their luck when they were foiled by rain after making a cracking start to their Division Two match at Knottingley. Steve Barnes hammered eight sixes and 14 fours in an unbeaten 120 and received excellent support from fellow opener Chris Broughton (42no) as Barnby racked up 169-0 from 27 overs before play was washed out. Leaders Sprotbrough picked up two bowling points when Michael Threapleton (3-47 from nine overs), Steve Parkes (2-15 from three) and Andy Exton (1-21 from 11) reduced Thorne Colliery to 101-6 from 27 overs. Carl Walton (34) and Chris Dyer (31) led Thorne's scoring before rain ended play. Sprotbrough visit Central Yorkshire League First Division leaders Northowram Fields in a re-arranged Secondary Yorkshire Council Championship first round tie on Sunday after last weekend's game was postponed. Fishlake A continued their revival in Division Three with a 95-run success at Darton A. Michael Robinson (97) and Tim Elliott (49no) guided Fishlake to a formidable 251-8. In reply, Andy Porter snapped up 3-46 as Darton were restricted to 156-6 in the division's only completed game. Andy Simpson (113) and Rob Sperrin (64no) led promotion-chasers Glasshoughton to 232-3 before the Castleford side declared after 39 overs against Conisbrough A. Ben Jackson made 46 as Conisbrough replied with 103-4 from 20 overs in a rain-ruined contest. In Division Four, Sprotbrough A lost by eight wickets at Hemsworth. Andrew Briggs (67) and Kevan Locke (52no) led the way as Hemsworth overhauled Sprotbrough's 152-6. In Division Six, Barnby Dun A were thwarted by rain against Thorpe Audlin A. After bowling out Thorpe for 154, Barnby were handily placed at 80-1 in reply when the match was abandoned.