Published Date:
29 May 2009
BILTON vice captain Simon Clemerson knows his side face a stern test of their mettle on Sunday when they continue their journey in the Waddilove Cup (2pm start).
A jaunt to Dave Pennett's Guiseley will be a welcome relief to Bilton who are desperately hoping to climb up the Division Two table after a sticky start this season.
Saturday's penultimate ball defeat at the hands of local rivals Knaresborough was a serious kick in the teeth to his side according to Clemerson who put their performance down to a bad day at the office.
However with league points to play for at home to Upper Wharfedale tomorrow (1.30pm start) and a possible passage into the quarter-finals of the cup a day later, Clemerson believes there's plenty to play for.
"It's a big weekend for us," he said.
"We've got Upper Wharfedale on Saturday who are a bit of an unknown entity. We don't know too much about them so we'll just be going into it with our heads held high and see what happens.
"Then on Sunday it's the Waddilove and we know how difficult that will be. Guiseley are one of the top sides in Division One but we've gone there and won before and I see no reason why we can't again."
On Saturday Aussie Charlie Mylne (67) and Peter Barnes (29) top scored for 'Boro' as they set a competitive 188-7, in the face of Bilton's Carl Tietjens (2-36).
Mike Baxandall (4-33), Mylne (3-23) and Simon Bridson (3-45) then shared the wickets around as Bilton were bowled out
in the final over. Darren Simpson's 59 was the one shining light in the Bilton batting line-up.
On Sunday however they pulled off a morale-boosting win away at Tong Park/Esholt in their rearranged Waddilove Cup First Round tie.
Leading from the front Clemerson made an important 64 with support from Lewis Mallinson (38no) as Bilton posted 143-7.
Tietjens' devastating 4-15 in response then held Tong at arm's length as they slipped to 103 all out.
"Saturday was just a bad performance all round," added Clemerson.
"But on Sunday we played a lot better. Me and Lewis managed to get us up to a decent total and then Carl (Tietjens) bowled one of the best spells of fast bowling I've ever seen in reply.
"It was a joy to stand at mid-on and watch him.
"It was encouraging and we're hoping we can build on that now and put our poor league form behind us.
"Hopefully the wheels are in motion now and we can concentrate on moving up the ladder."
BECKWITHSHAW also have a big weekend to get their teeth into with skipper Ben Quick hoping his batting guns continue to fire on the domestic and cup front.
'Shaw moved into second in the Division One table last week with an impressive victory over title rivals Collingham.
They face a tricky test tomorrow however with a trip to early season surprise package Green Lane, a side Quick knows they cannot take lightly.
"They're only one point behind us in the table and it won't be easy. "The games are coming thick and fast now," said Quick.
"Green Lane is a difficult place to go and it's always a tough fixture."
'Shaw will then be favourites to move through to the quarter-finals of the Waddilove Cup on Sunday when they welcome Division Three outfit Bolton Villas (2pm start).
The winners of the tie will play either Upper Wharfedale or Harden in the last eight on June 28.
"We're just taking one step at a time at the moment," added Quick.
"Bolton Villas are top of Division Three at the moment and they'll be coming into it confident. But it's a good opportunity for us to move into the next round."
On Saturday John Inglis smashed a superb 121, including ten fours and four sixes, as 'Shaw set a target of 224 against Collingham.
Paul Thompson's superb 6-16 and James Lilley's 3-30 was enough to bowl Collingham out for 118 in reply to hand 'Shaw the points.
KNARESBOROUGH have returned to six-point ways in Division Two and now skipper Adam Pryor is looking to surge up the league on the back of their important victory over Bilton last weekend.
'Boro' return to action tomorrow with a trip to struggling Harden and Pryor has called for the same commitment as they aim for back-to-back league wins.
"It was about time we got a six-point win and to do it against Bilton made it all the sweeter," he said.
"But we've got to go on a bit of a run now. It will be a tough game against Harden this week, they're struggling this season but they do have one good bowler who we'll have to look out for.
"We've just got to carry on from last week."
'Boro' will have to cope without opening bowler Mike Baxandall who is away tomorrow.
FOLLIFOOT captain Paul Angove will be hoping Saturday's defeat to Pool was only a minor blip when they welcome fourth-placed Thackley tomorrow.
On Saturday 'Foot came unstuck away at Pool after making 161-6 batting first, Mike Stanford (59) in the runs for Angove's men.
Pool looked like they were struggling in reply but a well made 45 not out by Chris Loveridge pulled them home with one over and three wickets to spare on 164-7.
"We were all gutted not to get six points at Pool," said 'Foot batsman Chris Dawson.
"Now we're all focused on our game against Thackley. We all want to regain the top spot in the table."
Aire Wharfe Division One
P Pts
North Leeds 6 32
Beckwithshaw 6 29
Green Lane 6 28
Collingham 6 26
Guiseley 6 23
Burley 6 18
Rawdon 6 16
Adel 6 14
Kirkstall 6 9
Otley 6 6
Calverley 6 4
Silsden 6 3
Division One 6 30
Follifoot 6 29
Pool 6 25
Thackley 6 23
Upper Wharfedale 6 18
Colton 6 17
Tong Park Esholt 6 17
Knaresborough 6 15
Harden 6 10
Steeton 6 10
Bilton 6 7
Bardsey 6 3
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Last Updated:
29 May 2009 10:32 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Harrogate