Haye's hot pace takes Honley to record title

HONLEY captured their fifth Premiership title in six seasons, smashing the points record of 120 set by Scholes last year.

Honley's eight-wicket home win over bottom of the table Holmfirth took their points total to 125 and they finished six points ahead of second-placed Shepley whose home game against Skelmanthorpe was rained off along with the other five matches in the top flight.

Honley's hero in a 35-overs-a-side match was paceman Harlon Haye, whose 15.5 overs yielded nine wickets for 60 runs as Holmfirth were bowled out for 111 in 31.5 overs. Andrew Gleave made a defiant 34.

Honley, who have lost only twice in the league this season, were keen to avenge a Sykes Cup first round defeat at Holmfirth on May 1 and they passed the visitors' score in the 18th over. Max Joice made 47 not out off 27 balls, 42 of his runs coming from nine fours and a six. Simon Kelly also played his part with 35.

Other final positions: 3 Delph & Dobcross 102 pts, 4 Scholes 84, 5 Elland 80, 6 Hoylandswaine 79, 7 Golcar 75, 8 Slaithwaite 68, 9 Kirkburton 67, 10 Skelmanthorpe 66, 11 Marsden 63, 12 Broad Oak 51, 13 Barkisland 44, 14 Holmfirth 23.

Shelley pipped Kexborough to the Frank Platt Championship crown by four points. Shelley defeated Meltham by nine wickets, while Kexborough's home contest against Almondbury was abandoned.

Meltham were restricted to 92-8, Abid Hussain taking 4-36. Shelley then coasted to victory, Akhlaq Ahmed making an unbeaten 46.

Clayton West finished third, a further 13 points behind. They defeated Hall Bower by five wickets in a 35-overs-a-side game despite a fine innings of 117 from Hall Bower opener Russell Evans. Danny Wood took six wickets for Clayton West who passed the visitors' 196 in 26.5 overs. Stuart Rank made a half-century for the winners.

Lepton made it five wins out of six as they eclipsed hosts Micklehurst by 210 runs. Dale Winterbottom and Paul Baxter made scores in the 80s and Alex Slack hit an unbeaten 50. David Mellor then took 4-5 as Micklehurst were shot out for 76.

Paddock took the Cedar Court Conference laurels after an eight-wicket home win over Armitage Bridge in a match reduced to 25 overs. Steve Abbott hit an unbeaten 36 and took four wickets for the winners.