3s march on, wins for 1s and 4s

A good day for the United lads as once again we were just one win away from a clean sweep. Several good performances throughout the sides, especially from the skippers, were the theme of the day...

1st XI

(Stop begging.... Harrison and Longhurst roar an LBW appeal off Tom Fletcher's bowling)

Yet again Longers' lost the toss - but that was the only thing that went wrong for him all day as a superb team effort brought about a crushing victory over 3rd placed Castleford in their best performance of the season. United restricted Cas to 200-9, mainly thanks to Nazakat Khan maiden Yorkshire League 5-for, and Adam Wilson once again picking up 3. Tom Fletcher bowled another economical yet somehow wicketless long spell. Despite the unlucky early dismissal of Matty Milburn, it then turned into the Longhurst show, as the skipper with help from 30's from Andy Hirst and Devan Dippenaar, raced to his first League ton for 3 years in just 83 balls, the second fifty coming in just 31 balls. United coasting home with 10.3 overs to spare and 6 wickets in the shed.

Castleford 200-9 (Nazakat Khan 5-71 from 20 overs, Adam Wilson 3-42 from 10)  v United 1st XI 203-4 (Neil Longhurst 103, Devan Dippenaar 39, Andy Hirst 36, Tanzeel Ali 21no)

2nd XI 

(Carl Jones shapes to drive on his way to an unbeaten 63)

The 2nds slipped into the relegation zone after being thumped at Maltby Miners Welfare. The overseas for Maltby scored a magnificent century, and supported ably by the rest of the top order the hosts posted a massive 277-3. United were never in the hunt, but positives will be taken from Carl Jones' first half-century of the season, and good knocks from Adam Thorpe and Oliver Law.

Maltby Miners Welfare 277-3 v United 2nd XI 170-5 (Carl Jones 63no, Adam Thorpe 37)

3rd XI

Another magnificent victory for the 3s as they keep their lead at the top of the table intact, in a game where the seniors showed the juniors just how to do it. The highlight of the home side's innings was a superb unbeaten century from the influential leader that is Geoff Maltby, which he embarrassed to admit there was no sixes. Better get in the gym Zippy! Shiregreen never looked like knocking off the challenging total, and the experienced partnership of Dave Marsden and Andy Roberts shared all but one wicket to fall as they wrapped up a convincing 107-run victory.

United 3rd XI 232-5 (Geoff Maltby 119no) v Shiregreen 125 (Dave Marsden 5-19, Andy Roberts 4-34)

4th XI

Steve Reaney's lads picked up another win against Forgemasters, having to work a lot harder this time to secure their 30-run victory. Phil Harper, in just his 2nd match for the club, and Joe Marshall hit the only scores of note in posting 179, but a solid and accurate bowling performance earnt United their victory, with Richard Snookes picking up 3 wickets and Zafran Ali going for less than a run an over in his 10 overs.

United 4th XI 179-9 (Phil Harper 37, Joe Marshall 28) v Forgemasters (Richard Snookes 3-32 from 8 overs, Zafran Ali 0-9 from 10)