Promotion for Shelley who join Premier boys

SHELLEY are promoted to the Premiership after returning to winning ways against former leaders Kexborough, who are joining the South Yorkshire League next season.

Shelley, who led the Frank Platt Championship for most of the campaign until successive defeats against Hall Bower and Lepton Highlanders checked their progress, regained top spot in style, defeating Kexborough by 102 runs at Westerley Lane. They will take the place of Holmfirth whose relegation fate had already been decided.

Highlights of Shelley's victory were a half-century from Joe Sykes and a 4-11 bowling stint by Sam Scott.

Paddock, who ironically lost by five wickets at Kirkheaton, and Emley Clarence, who won by eight wickets against Lascelles Hall, are promoted to the Frank Platt Championship, while Micklehurst drop into the Cedar Court Conference.

Top batting performance in Saturday's Premiership programme came from Matthew Wood, Kirkburton's former Yorkshire opener. Wood's swashbuckling 143 not out at Delph & Dobcross contained 15 fours and seven sixes and he figured in a second-wicket partnership of 169 with Louis Aspeling whose 95 included 15 fours and two sixes.

However, Delph succeeded in overhauling the total of 260-4, with 3.4 overs to spare and won by six wickets. Bilal Khiljee fell four runs short of his century, Irfan Zahoor made 64 and Arron Lillee swung his bat to gather five fours and five sixes in an unbeaten 60.

Honley opener Simon Kelly struck his sixth century of the season in a nine-wicket triumph at Broad Oak. Kelly made an unbeaten 126, including 17 fours and a six, figuring in an unbroken partnership of 115 with Michael Fraine who contributed 53.

Anthony Marr was on form with bat and ball in Hoylandswaine's seven-wicket win against Barkisland. Marr made an undefeated 71 and took seven wickets. Colleagues Zach Morris and Liam Dickinson played their part with 89 and 56, respectively.

Scholes were hustled out for 83 by Ronan Bruce and Ibrar Younis who claimed five wickets each for Slaithwaite in a 79 runs victory. Andy Alsop took six wickets for the losers.