Australians to the fore in Cup victories

Davis was almost unplayable as he bowled 14 overs, including nine maidens, and took 3-6.

Peter Lombard weighed in with 4-45 and Thongsbridge were dismissed for 135 in 47 overs. Opener Louis Aspeling batted throughout the successful reply and made 63, Skelmanthorpe winning by eight wickets.

Delph & Dobcross, last season’s beaten finalists, figured in a big-hitting match at home to Championship opponents Paddock and won by 118 runs. Delph amassed 368-3 with Faisal Butt undefeated two runs short of his century and Irfan Zahoor also making 98.

There were half-centuries from Bilal Khiljee and Arron Lilley, the latter then taking seven wickets as Paddock were bowled out for 250 in 43 overs. Opener Zaheed Ahmed had the consolation of making 114, including 15 fours and three sixes.

Championship side Clayton West sprang a major shock by knocking out fancied Premiership opponents Honley. Australian Daniel Del Prete made 47 and took four wickets for West, Will Lockwood hitting an unbeaten half-century off 81 balls.

Pace bowler Muhammed Saddiq destroyed Lepton on his debut for Rastrick, who won by six wickets. Saddiq took 8-28 as the Highlanders were ousted for 50.

Tom Denton flayed 15 fours and five sixes in accumulating 133 for Shepley who won by 102 runs at home to Broad Oak. Amar Rashid made 78 and figured in a century partnership with Denton. Max Freeland was Oak’s best batsman with 73 as his side recovered from 40-5 to 180 all out.

James Noble (87) and Iqbal Khan (67) had a third-wicket partnership of 134 for Scholes who won by 101 runs at Slaithwaite. Andy Alsop also took six wickets in his 15 overs. Ronan Bruce shone for the hosts with an unbeaten 40 and three wickets.

Nadeem Ashraf plundered an undefeated half-century off Hall Bower in Meltham’s seven-wicket victory.