BRADLEY'S James Robinson is a record breaker.

He batted through for 143 in what was a monumental effort of concentration as the Upper Airedale Junior Cricket Association's under-13 team weighed in with 269-5 from their 40 overs against Pontefract District at Fairburn.

This was both the highest individual score and highest team score for Upper Airedale in the Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival for under-13s.

Upper Airedale had first knock but suffered the early losses of Adil Modak (Steeton), Thomas Lothian (Settle) and Thomas Meakin (Steeton) for five, three and four respectively.

However, it was then a case of light the blue touchpaper as Robinson – son of Embsay batsman Neil, who was a Bradley stalwart – and Upper Wharfedale's Ryan Hodgson figured in a three-figure stand before Hodgson was dismissed for 67, which included nine fours.

Then Robinson, who hit 20 fours and four sixes, had stands with Skipton's Joe Holderness and Bradley Gardner as the total surpassed the previous highest of 232, set way back in 1997 against the Bradford Central League, when Settle's James Wildman made 124 – the previous best by an Upper Airedale under-13.

Pontefract's openers shared a stand of 110 but seventh-change Lothian broke it on his way to 4-6 from five overs as the hosts collapsed to 143-8.

It was a remarkable turnaround for Upper Airedale's under-13s, who suffered a 165-run defeat to a strong North Yorkshire side at Steeton in their first match.

North Yorkshire made 221-6, despite the efforts of Modak and Meakin, before Upper Airedale were castled for 56.

Upper Airedale began their improvement the following day against the Bradford Junior League at Denholme.

The hosts were seven down for around 50 but were pulled to 167-8 by 44 from No 8 Hodgson and 29 from Holderness.

This felt like a defendable score, and it almost was as Bradford crept over the line at 168-9, Lothian taking three catches and Modak causing some late-order panic with two wickets.

Taking confidence from this close shave, the Upper Airedale then trounced Pontefract in their third match in as many days.