Promotion to top-flight sealed by rivals Barkisland and Holmfirth

BARKISLAND and Holmfirth gained the final day victories they needed to ensure promotion from the Frank Platt Championship to the Premiership, leaving Thongsbridge and Lepton Highlanders to miss out.

All four teams had a chance of climbing into the top flight when play began, with just five points separating leaders Barkisland from fourth-placed Lepton. But Barkisland’s 29-run win against Meltham saw them crowned Frank Platt champions, while Holmfirth’s narrow eight-run victory over Lepton ensured promotion.

Batting first, Barkisland posted 191-9, with Jacob Travis making a half-century. Despite a fine 99 from Will Fraine in reply, Meltham fell short.

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In a nerve-jangling low-scoring affair at Holmfirth the home side were bowled out for 101, Abid Hussain taking 6-23 with his medium pace. However, the Lepton batsmen struggled against seamer Sam Denton (5-45) and were sent back for just 93.

Third-placed Thongsbridge collected a full six points with a 46-run win over Armitage Bridge but with the top two also winning, they missed out on promotion.

In the top division, Elland finished runners-up to champions Hoylandswaine.

Lorenzo Ingram’s innings of 112 left him just three runs short of 1,000 for the season as Elland hammered wooden spoonists Clayton West by 181 runs, Niall Lockley (84) supporting Ingram.

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Kirkburton finished third after losing by 63 runs at fourth-placed Golcar, while John Sadler made 20 in Hoylandswaine’s 213-run win over Skelmanthorpe.

Other century-makers included Liam Wiles (129) as Shepley won by seven wickets at Marsden, and Honley’s Simon Kelly (126), the deposed champions winning by 186 runs at Scholes.

Bruce Cruse hit 107 in Delph & Dobcross’s 143-run win over Shelley, while Hall Bower’s Yasir Shah (101) and Ibrar Latif (103) helped secure a nine-wicket win against Slaithwaite.

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