Khan ensures there's no happy return for Jaffer

CHAMPIONS Scholes are starting to find their form and Iqbal Khan inspired them to a third successive win, against Skelmanthorpe.

Khan topped the batting averages last season and his unbeaten half-century and three-wicket haul played a major role in Scholes' five-wicket success.

Mohammed Shah Nawaz was Scholes' top wicket-taker with

4-28 but Wasim Jaffer made sure they did not have things all their own way as he amassed 109, including 12 fours and three sixes against his old club.

Honley, title-holders for four successive seasons before Scholes ended their monopoly, head the table with six league wins out of six, their only slip-up being a one-wicket defeat at Holmfirth in the Sykes Cup.

Honley were seven-wicket victors at struggling Barkisland. Simon Wheelwright made 53 as Barkisland totalled 210-7. Honley reached their target in the 41st over, Simon Kelly opening with 78, Michael Fraine assisting with 48 and Max Joice making an undefeated 45. Fraine's brother Andrew hit 32 for the opposition.

Broad Oak must be hoping Graeme Hurlbatt can change his mind and play regularly this season after his 5-38 swing bowling stint helped to oust Kirkburton for 113. Oak overhauled that modest total in the 21st over with just two wickets down.

Yorkshire batsman Joe Sayers helped second-placed Hoylandswaine to a nine-wicket trouncing of Holmfirth. Sayers carried his bat for 120, accumulating 11 fours and seven sixes. Liam Dickinson supported with 58 and although Matt Gummerson mirrored Dickinson's score as Holmfirth made 213-7, Hoylandswaine took just 29 overs to win.

Elland had three overs to spare in a four-wicket win at Golcar, who made 261-8. Craig Ruscoe led the way with 74, including eight fours and three sixes but Greg Buckley went one better for Elland and Dominic Finn struck an unbeaten 56 to take the visitors to victory.

Bilal Khiljee (91no) and Faisal Butt (51no) took Delph to an eight-wicket triumph at Marsden.

Adam Wiles and Michael Jepps put on 173 for the second wicket as Kexborough reached 340-6 and beat Micklehurst by 238 runs.