Luke Popov proved the difference between the sides as he first claimed five wickets then made 47 not out as Altofts completed a big eight-wicket victory.

Ardsley had to bat first on a wicket offering help to the bowlers and although they made a decent start in reaching 48-1 it was generally hard going throughout their innings.

Three wickets all going down with the score on 48 knocked the home side back and although Rob Hoban made a battling 27 they had to settle for batting through their 50 overs to make a disappointing 109-9.

Skipper Danny McTernan (19) and opener Tom Marsden (15) were the only other Ardsley batsmen to reach double figures as they struggled to combat Popov (5-34 from 21 overs), Michael Trevethan (2-41) and Richard Barber (2-8).

Tom Chester struck back for Ardsley when he had Altofts opener Brent Law caught by Hoban for a duck at the start of the visitors' reply, but a stand of 81 for the second wicket between Popov and Joe Barkley (37) saw them to the brink of victory and they duly completed the job by the start of the 39th over. Wicket takers for Ardsley were Chester with 1-28 from 11overs and Ashley Pearson, 1-12 off 6.1 overs.

EAST ARDSLEY A also went down to their first defeat in Division Two following a poor batting display against Townville A.

Although Richard Jennings hit 40 and Joe Hall made 30, Ardsley were all out for 116 as they went in first. Richie Bresnan (3-20) and Gary Mackereth (3-16) did most of the damage. In reply, Townville lost two early wickets, but recovered well and lost only one further batsman in completing a seven-wicket success in the 30th over. Andy Ward (65 not out) top scored while Danny Walker took 2-16 and Gary Jeffers 1-19.