Guile of Lockwood proves too difficult

DARREN Lockwood spun Holmfirth to a first league victory of the season at the 10th attempt as Skelmanthorpe lost by just seven runs.

Holmfirth looked to be heading for another defeat when their innings was restricted to 136-7. But off-spinner Lockwood tormented Skelmanthorpe's batsmen with 6-22.

Leaders Honley were tested by Marsden who posted a challenging 264-8, with half-centuries from captain Matthew Butters, Martin Kyle and Ibrar Ul-Haq. Nicky Clee removed three Honley batsmen for 24 runs but the leaders won by five wickets in the 46th over, openers Simon Kelly (117) and Danny Howard (72) hoisting 186 before they were parted.

Shepley remain in second place after winning by 78 runs at Scholes. Tom Denton struck 14 fours and four sixes his 128 for Shepley. Don Bandula Ranjith took 5-38 to make life tough for the home batsmen.

Kirkburton climbed into third place with a 47-run victory against Slaithwaite at Riley Lane. Top performers for the winners were George Smith, who made an undefeated 69, including 11 fours and a six, and Charlie Roebuck who took 5-34.

Hoylandswaine suffered a second successive defeat for the first time this season when Elland won by 61 runs at Haigh Lane. Greg Finn fell one run.

Craig Horner (68) and Leigh Kentish had an unbroken partnership of 99 for Golcar who defeated visitors Barkisland by eight wickets.

Quickest result came at Broad Oak where the home side were bowled out by Delph & Dobcross for 59 in 20.2 overs and lost by 10 wickets. Kyle Hogg took 5-37 and Bilal Khiljee (4-15).

Clayton West topped 300 runs for the fourth time this season in the Frank Platt Championship beating Meltham by 157 runs. Nick Sharp hit 162, including 22 fours and seven sixes and Chris Thomson took five Meltham wickets for 28 runs.

Dale Winterbottom struck an unbeaten century and took three wickets but his side Lepton Highlanders lost by two wickets against visitors Shelley.

In the Cedar Court Conference contest between Armitage Bridge and Rastrick, spinner Isfan Ahmed took 7-70 for Rastrick, medium-pacer Richard Lunn took 6-24 in nine overs for Bridge who won by 68 runs.