Beckett League: Nomads clinch title

Valley Bar Nomads' Babu Matthew is dismissed during his side's title-clinching victory over Thornton Dale 2nds. Pictures: Steve Lilly

Craig Best top scored for the league leaders with 48 and Anosh George hit 26 in their 150-8.

Matthew Knowles made 27 in reply, but George was again in top form, taking 6-14 alongside 3-12 from Babu Matthew, as Dale were all out for 75.

Wykeham 3rds hit an imposing 271-5 at home against second placed Forge Valley 3rds with Robin Shepherdson hitting 79, Lewis Eustace 55 and Graham Shannon making 49.

Tim Farrant replied with 78 not out in the visitors’ 180-4, but 3-40 from Shannon ensured a comprehensive win for the hosts and keeps Valley looking over their shoulders with two games of the season remaining.

Ganton 2nds consistent pair of Richard Horsman (63) and Dan Reardon (53) guided their side to 166-6 at Ravenscar 2nds but their efforts were not enough.

John Nelson hit 59 not out and was supported by good efforts from John Morrison (31), Andy Bloomfield (31) and Robbie Welford (25) as the home side made 167-3 to wrap up a seven-wicket success.

Ravenscar then secured a weekend double as they overcame Thornton Dale 2nds by five- wickets on Sunday.

Thornton posted a competitive 168-6 with Will Taylor making a fine 60 not out.

Ravenscar appeared in trouble at the start of their reply, but an exceptional 99 not out from Jon Stokoe, with support coming from Jon Murrell (40no), saw his side home with just one ball to spare.

In Division Four, Lockton’s Simon Oxendale hit a terrific 126 but his efforts were in vain against Hospitals Rugby Club in a thrilling contest.

Oxendale’s brilliant innings was the centrepiece of his side’s 168 all out as Tim Elliott (4-37) and Marcus Edwards (3-30) impressed with the ball.

Edwards also showed good form with the bat, top-scoreing with 61, while Steve Roswold added 30, and despite Dave Bointon’s 4-14 and three James Boyes wickets, Hospitals got home eight wickets down.

Filey 2nds claimed a vital, narrow 14 run win at fellow strugglers Sherburn 2nds to move further clear of the bottom two.

Lee Adams hit 56 but Jordan Farrow’s 3-27 saw Filey all out for 117.

Phil Leckonby made 33 in reply, but 6-38 from John Hunter and Adams ‘3-35 saw the hosts all out for 103.

Wold Newton 2nds won the toss at Cloughton 2nds and 47 from Pete Auty and Phil Heslehurst’s 34 not out saw them post 144-5 from their 40 overs.

Jacob Codling (66no) and Rob Barker, who made 42, then shared a third-wicket partnership of 91, which proved the cornerstone of the reply with Cloughton getting home by six wickets.

Champions Snainton registered a comfortable win over Cayton 3rds, restricting them to just 108 all out as Michael Kipling took 5-7.

Ben Norman hit 67 not out in reply as the title-winners made it to 112-2 and an eight-wicket triumph.