Bakshi leads way as Slaithwaite celebrate

Both teams topped the 300 mark, with bowlers shown no mercy. Simon Kelly and Richard Jakeman had an opening partnership of 184 for Honley, Kelly making 111 off 112 balls and striking 13 fours and four sixes. Jakeman and Max Joice had scores in the 70s and Honley must have scented victory after amassing 307-5 in their 50 overs.

But Slaithwaite, who had failed to reach 200 in any of their innings this season, rose magnificently to the challenge to win by seven wickets in the 49th over. Rahul Bakshi made an undefeated 145 off 141 balls, hitting 18 fours and a six, and sharing a third-wicket partnership of 197 with Kashif Talib, who made 83. Bjorn Taylor hit an entertaining 51 not out off just 26 balls, his innings containing four fours and three sixes.

Slaithwaite’s win came 21 years almost to the day since their Sykes Cup final victory over Honley.

Clayton West took over bottom spot after a six-wicket defeat against visitors Delph & Dobcross, for whom Bruce Cruse and Graeme Simpson were left undefeated at the close with 83 and 43, respectively.

Chris Coleman had 15 boundaries in an unbeaten 111 for third from bottom Marsden, who squeezed to a six-run win at Hall Bower. The home side lost their last six wickets for 40 runs, Jason Longmore taking five wickets for the winners.

Leaders Hoylandswaine overcame visitors Golcar by seven wickets, Amar Rashid, Alex Morris and Aussie Michael Cranmer making half-centuries, and second-placed Elland won by 46 runs against Scholes at Hullen Edge. Jamaican Lorenzo Ingram hit a century and took three wickets for Elland, who trail Hoylandswaine by 15 points.

Kirkburton’s five-match winning run ended at home to Shepley, who won by 44 runs. Sarjinder Pal Singh struck an undefeated 124, containing eight fours and two sixes. He also took three wickets, along with Danny Glover and Liam Wiles.

Tomlinson blast too much for Main men

Whiston were the Premier Division’s high-scorers, reaching 291-5 at home to Houghton Main.

Prolific opener Andy Tomlinson blasted 17 fours in his fine century, aided and abetted by teenage partner Ant Lancashire (50), the pair putting on 175 before another half-century from Scott Jones.

Houghton were then sent back for 140, Ben Sutton making 48 as Jafar Nasir claimed 4-42.

Whitley Hall also batted strongly to defeat guests Barnsley, opener Alex Fletcher cracking 67, Jaco Castle adding a late 62 and James Ahmed 32 not out. Barnsley were not disgraced with their reply of 183-9, youngsters Tom Starkes and Jake Malkin hitting 39 and 38, respectively, with Castle rounding off his day with a return of 4-40.

Treeton were comfortable winners at Wath, making 194 with knocks of 47 from Gareth Davis and 46 from Greg Norton, against the attack of Rob Barlow (4-55) and James Barnard (3-43). That proved more than enough, with Wath rushed out for just 58, all their batsmen except Barnard in single figures as Umaid Asif took 5-28 and Steve Foster claimed 3-23.

With Treeton having earlier been disqualified from the Yorkshire Council play-offs, Whitley Hall need to be placed in the top three of their league to make it to the play-offs – and they are currently third.

Coal Aston set a target of 209-5 for visitors Wickersley, with Lawrence Browse making 78 and Dave Rodgers 52, the pair taking their side from 11-1 to 111-2.

Wickersley answered with a winning 215-6, Haider Jahangir making 76 not out, and Andy Harrison an unbeaten 62, taking them from 93-6 to victory without further loss.

Aston Hall made their trip to Darfield pay off with a three-wicket triumph, the home outfit dismissed for 140, Tahir Maqsood making 36 with Uzman Azeem taking six wickets for Aston, who replied with 143-7, Carl Tiler carrying his bat for 53.

Elsecar had six wickets to spare after passing Hallam’s 163, Humphrey Emery’s half-century containing eight fours.

Adel are down but Rhydding fight on

John Inglis hit a century as Beckwithshaw beat Otley to stay five points clear at the top of the table.

Otley set a 224-4 target with Stewart Smith scoring 114 not out and putting on an unbeaten stand of 137 with Andrew Ross (45no) but there was no stopping Inglis, who included 14 fours in his 105.

Toby Jacklin (89no) top scored as second-placed Collingham raced to 252-3 before Matt Fielding (4-58) led the way as Adel were dismissed for 183.

Darren Blenkiron (59) and Will Liddle (5-21) were the stars as Bilton overcame third-placed Steeton, allowing Burley to move up with a nine-wicket win at Thackley with Shane Etherington (6-41) and David Brook (78no) the match-winners.

Adel’s defeat means they are relegated with five games left.

Ben Rhydding remain in the drop zone but they made it three wins from five matches after Jason Wright (5-18) dismissed Follifoot for 97 of which Mike Halmshaw made 56 not out.

Kirkstall captain Jos Siddall (90no) led from the front and with Joe Gibson (46no), Paul Malone (62) and Alex Robinson (43) set a target of 305-5 and clinched five points because Guiseley could only manage 219-8, Josh Nelson (74) top scoring.

Bolton Villas set Division Two leaders Pool a modest 184 target but with Sam Lawrence (4-70) and Syed Hashmi (4-22) in top form, Pool fell 20 short and dropped to third.

Harden take over at the top after Jason Seymour (120no) and Ben Burkill (60) set them up to take five points off North Leeds.

Rawdon moved into second, Tony Gilks (3-49) and John Hughes (4-31) restricting Ilkley to 173 in pursuit of the home side’s 188-9.

Davin Charleston hit 97no in Green Lane’s 229-7 and Adeel Ashraf (6-45) had Olicanian struggling but the bottom side managed to hang on for two points.

They still look doomed but Calverley climbed out of the bottom two, taking five points against Bardsey. Julian Thornhill (121) and Shabir Bashir (81) took Calverley to 309-9 and even though Tom Clayton and Umer Yaqoob hit half-centuries, Bardsey were one run short of a second point.