Craddock's spin keeps Honley on title course

THE form book proved a reliable guide, with the Premiership's top five sides emerging victorious.

Leaders Honley won by 47 runs at Kirkburton where pace bowler Harlon Haye hit an undefeated half-century and leg-spinner Tom Craddock took six wickets. Louis Aspeling hit his fifth half-century of the season for the hosts.

Honley's closest rivals, Shepley, remain seven points behind after a nine-wicket romp at Barkisland, who were bowled out for 107, Danny Glover and Leigh Millar claiming three wickets each. Tim Rees and Tom Denton saw Shepley safely home with 38 not out and 33 not out, respectively.

Third-placed Delph & Dobcross are 20 points behind Shepley after Golcar restricted them to a five-point win. Leigh Kentish made 68 towards the Golcar total of 226-7 after Irfan Zahoor, Bruce Cruse, Bilal Khiljee and Faisal Butt had struck half-centuries for Delph, who posted 285-6.

Scholes were untroubled by visitors and back markers Holmfirth, who lost by six wickets despite an undefeated half-century from No 4 Chris Cowell. Tom Brook (5-30) and Luke Bird (3-37) restricted Holmfirth to 138 and Cowell's opposite number Ibrar Latif made an undefeated 73.

Hoylandswaine remain fifth after a 115-run victory against visitors Broad Oak. Alex Morris and Moreland Le Blanc were half-century makers for Hoylandswaine but Oak opener James Howson was the game's top batsman with 77.

At Slaithwaite, the home side reached 105-6 in reply to Elland's 216 when the weather ended proceedings. Greg Buckley made 75 for Elland whose innings was reduced to 45 overs by the rain. Ibrar Younis and Ijaz Khan took four wickets each for Slaithwaite. Wajid Hussain hit 41 for the home side but the teams had to be content with two points each.

At Marsden, the match was reduced to 25 overs-a-side and Skelmanthorpe posted 169-1, Wasim Jaffer making 72 and Sarfraz Ahmed an undefeated 62. Marsden reached 41-4 after 11 overs when rain ruled out any further play.

The Championship's top two met at Kexborough where the home side, who are leaving the league to be replaced by Cawthorne, defeated leaders Shelley by eight wickets.