Aston Hall squeeze home in local derby

In the local derby at Green Lane, Aston Hall decided to bat first.

After an early loss Amir Riaz (41) and Andrew Haywood (40) added 65 runs to take the score to 76 for 2.

Juana Grobbelaar scored 32, Uzman Azeem 38 and skipper Rob Ward 31 as Aston posted a competitive 247 all out.

In reply Whiston’s response was led by an immaculate innings from the Church star, Andy Tomlinson.

He posted yet another of his classic centuries, reaching 113, with 17 fours for good measure.

But Tomlinson became the eighth wicket to fall with the score at 226, and with his demise Whiston ran out of steam and finished agonisingly short, with four balls left – nine runs shy of Aston’s total.

Azeem took 5 for 70.

In Division One, Darfield decided to bat first against Aston Hall B at School Street and gave the visiting bowlers and fielders a torrid time on a hot afternoon.

After the opening wicket added 51, Tom Smyth joined skipper James Ward to add 87 runs for the second wicket, at which point Smyth left for 57 from 55 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.

The innings accelerated from this point with the third wicket adding 152.

Ward lost his wicket having reached 127, with 17 fours and a six his boundary count.

Simon Potter stayed to conclusion smashing 76 not out in 53 balls, with seven fours and two sixes to his credit as Darfield amassed 315 for 3.

Aston Hall were never in sight of such a large total and despite 42 from Chris Holland eventually were all out for 152.

Division Three’s Maltby climbed into a promotion position after beating Division Three leaders Sheffield United B at Muglet Lane.

Maltby batted first and posted a total of 167 all out with opener and skipper Tom Groom scoring 39.

Sheffield United were all out for 114, with Gary Porter taking 3 for 19.

Maltby’s B team, in Division Four, scored 195 for 9 against Houghton B at Great Houghton.

Liam Parker opened with 30 and Luke Hicks added 62.

In reply, despite the valiant attempts of skipper Salisbury with 40 not out, Houghton were dismissed for 111.

Jordan Beighton took 4 for 42, Michael Cannadine 3 for 24 and John Pinkos 3 for 25.