Yorkshire League South: Thornes go clear at top as Whitley leapfrog Collegiate in table

Appleby Frodingham and Wakefield Thornes have been tied at the top pretty much all season, Even the meeting between the sides ended in a tie, but this week Thornes made a decisive move.

Facing basement side and almost relegation certainties Rotherham Town, Thornes amassed 295-9 in 50 overs, with solid contributions throughout the line up, and only skipper Irfan Mirza (21) made any contribution in the reply that was wrapped up in the 36th over for just 96. Steve Morgan rattled through the Town line up with 5-38.

Rivals Appleby Frodingham needed a win at third place Cleethorpes to keep up with Thornes, but the Lincolnshire side proved too tough a nut to crack. Batting first the home side racked up 260-9 with a century from Wesley Marshall, but Frodingham were all out for 213 in the 50th over.

Cleethorpes remain in third, but Thornes drew 10 points clear at the top.

In fourth come Wickersley despite an abandonment again at Aston Hall. Wickersley had looked in a fine position with Aston Hall reeling at 104-7 - Lewis Brown taking 3-37 - but rain meant no further play was possible.

Whitley Hall have embarked on a great run of form, which continued at home to Collegiate. Piet Swanepoel (3-42) and Neil Longhurst (3-29) were the stars with the ball as Collegiate posted 166-9 in a reduced 43 overs. Their bowlers responded well, however, and Whitley collapsed to 142-7.

Callum Bethel and Sam Chatterton steadied the ship before Piet Swanepoel won the game in the last over with 18 off 11 balls and victory with a ball to spare. This moved Whitley above Collegiate into fifth, Collegiate down to sixth.

Barnsley moved above Sheffield and Phoenix United with a low-scoring win at Bawtry Road. A wet wicket limited the game to 28 overs per side and Barnsley reached 136-8.

An Azeem Rafiq-less United line up never really got to grips with the target and were bowled out for 94 in the 21st over, Zohaib Ahmad taking 5-18 for Barnsley.

Finally a relegation battle between Doncaster and Treeton saw an attritional game won by the hosts by five wickets. Having inserted the visiting side, Doncaster bowled tightly without much success as Treeton struggled to 179-4 from 50 overs.

Graeme Attenborough took the attack to the Treeton bowlers and finished undefeated on 99* off just 102 balls, sealing victory by five wickets with two overs to go. Muhammad Attari took 3-37 for Treeton.

This weekend, game of the day is Wakefield Thornes against Whitley Hall. Wickersley host United while Appleby Frodingham welcome Aston Hall. Doncaster visit Rotherham and Cleethorpes face the long trip to Abbeydale to play Collegiate. Finally Treeton face Barnsley looking to move out of the relegation spots.

Standings (11 games): Wakefield Thornes 110 points; Appleby Frodingham 100; Cleethorpes 84; Wickersley 72; Whitley Hall 68, Collegiate 66; Barnsley 58; United 58; Aston Hall 56; Doncaster Town 40; Treeton 40; Rotherham Town 12.