Craddock spins to eight-wicket return

GARY Colman ensured Holmfirth's highest score of the season was not enough to prevent defeat for the Premiership's bottom club.

Colman, who made 133, helped Barkisland to top the 300-mark for the first time this season and they won by 17 runs. His innings contained 21 fours and two sixes and Simon Wheelwright played his part in the victory with a half-century. Jonny Forrester and Brett Thornton had scores in the 60s for Holmfirth but they fell short at 298-7.

Golcar all-rounder Steve Whitwam's off-breaks earned him a 7-36 return in 19.2 overs, including six maidens, but his side still lost by 10 runs to visitors Hoylandswaine. Opener Ed Wilson made 61 for Golcar but they were bowled out in the last over, chasing 216. Yorkshire batsman Joe Sayers hit 67 for the winners.

Broad Oak's long losing run ended at Slaithwaite where they triumphed by 27 runs, Romain Grenville making an undefeated 98, containing 12 fours and a six, and then taking four wickets. Ijaz Khan hit 69 and took three wickets for the hosts.

Honley's only defeat this season came in the Sykes Cup first round at Holmfirth and they maintained their unblemished league record with another win against Skelmanthorpe. Simon Kelly, who collected his fourth century of the season, had an opening partnership of 120 with Richard Jakeman (44) but the performance of the match came from leg-spinner Tom Craddock, who took 8-63 with five bowled, two caught and one lbw.

Honley won by eight wickets after Skelmanthorpe totalled 187, Wasim Jaffer hitting ten boundaries in his 76 for the losers.

Second-placed Shepley beat third-placed Delph & Dobcross by eight wickets. Delph recovered from 97-9 to 158 all out but Shepley reached their target in 30.4 overs, Tim Rees making an unbeaten 73, including 13 fours and two sixes.

Elland were six-wicket winners at Kirkburton, James Thornton and Craig Fletcher taking four wickets each and Dominic Finn hitting an undefeated half-century.

Frank Platt Championship leaders Shelley lost a thriller by one wicket at Meltham, for whom Ibrar Hussain did much of the damage by taking 5-17.