SPOFFORTH widened the gap to 22 points at the league summit as they close in on a 13th title, this week’s victims being SICKLINGHALL.

Andy Wood (56no) and Dave Boyd (36) batted Sicklinghall to 162-7, but it wasn’t enough as Simon Old (33no) and Nick Palmer (32) chased down the total at 163-7.

Martyn Wood profited the most with the ball, plundering 3-33.

A rain-affected game at SHADWELL more or less spelled the end of KIRK DEIGHTON’S title challenge.

Shadwell posted 101-8 batting first with Gary Miles bagging 3-30, but Deighton were stopped at 21-0.

There was good news for 2007 champions CHURCH FENTON, who defeated OULTON at home.

Richard Grogan cracked a cultured 50 to take Fenton to 171-6, Gary Ruckledge (5-32) undoing Oulton at 114 all out with Hayden Preshaw managing 35.

BARWICK IN ELMET put SCARCROFT to the sword, Barwick amassing a hefty 230-9 thanks to efforts of Nick Swales (42), Richard Fleming (40), Peter Causon (34) and Ian Jenkins (31) while Pete Phelan captured 3-57 and M Slater 3-61.

Damian Aston hit back with 41 for Fenton but Causon’s 4-45 haul determined Scarcroft closed 167 all out.

KIPPAX were crushed to the tune of nine wickets by OLD MODERNIANS, all out for 89 with Shaun Delaney scalping 3-6.

Wayne Adams (29no) steered Mods over the line at 90-1.

WETHERBY endured a five-wicket reverse at the hands of GREAT PRESTON, Ian Newton (3-4) the chief destroyer as Wetherby were skittled for just 80.

In reply, Jonny Milner (29) batted Preston home at 81-5.

Division Two

ST CHAD’S BROOMFIELD took over at the top of the table thanks to a 55-run win over promotion challengers BRAMHOPE.

Chad’s racked up 144 all out batting first, but Khawar Yasin snared 4-35 and Ifthaq Hussain (3-30) ousted Bramhope for 89, A Gilks managing 34 not out.

WALTON slipped to second after a defeat to WHIXLEY, who posted 178-7 with Australian Shane Townsend crashing a fine 86.

In reply Stuart Whitham scalped 5-30 to skittle Walton for 148, Alan Whincup having the most fortune with the bat to make 56 and Steve Ryder 32.

KIRK HAMMERTON roared to a massive 343-7 against SOUTH MILFORD, Nigel Nattress making 84, Aussie Hayden Datsun 67 (off 34 balls inc eight sixes) and Liam Fisher 61.

A valiant Milford spearheaded their reply through skipper James Liddle’s super 114, but it proved in vain as Datson (4-52) and Tom Main (3-52) stopped them short at 214

With matches against the top teams in the next fortnight, Milford are sliding closer towards relegation zone if results don’t go their way.

OLD LEOS lost out by two wickets to BILTON IN AINSTY, all out for 131 as Andrew Walker (4-43) and Alex Latchmore (3-18) divided up the wickets.

Mark Schofield led them home at 132-8 with a fine unbeaten 71, Pat Deane taking 3-30 and Tim Carter 3-27.

BRAMHAM picked up a win over CROSSGATES, bowling ‘Gates for 143 of which A Tall made 47 and D Baker took 4-41.