Shock for Honley as Champions lose out

Butterfield has been to India during the winter with the Leeds-Bradford University squad and Kirkburton were quick to benefit from the experience he gained.

Honley, for whom Richard Jakeman top-scored with 33, were dismissed for a modest 129 and their total was overhauled in 38.1 overs. Matthew Wood was Kirkburton’s best batsman with 35, the vastly experienced Harlon Haye taking four wickets for Honley.

Despite the week’s torrential rain the weather relented in time to save all but two matches – Skelmanthorpe against Shepley in the Premiership and Almondbury against Cawthorne in the Cedar Court Conference.

Delph & Dobcross, last season’s runners-up in the top flight, crushed promoted Hall Bower by 185 runs, with paceman Adnan Ghaus taking 8-20 in 11.3 overs.

Arron Lilley hit six fours and five sixes in an innings of 80 for Delph who totalled 264-9. Opener Wayne Swift made 50 of Hall Bower’s 79 runs in reply.

Clayton West, the other promoted side, suffered a less heavy defeat, by 74 runs, against Shelley who were bowled out for 169, Danny Wood taking 6-35. Azer Ullah took 7-17 as West were ousted for 95.

Lorenzo Ingram, Elland’s new signing from Jamaica, made an immediate impact. The former Farsley all-rounder hit 63 and spun his way to 3-25 in a 74-run victory over Marsden.

Ben Potter, batting at No 7, contributed a vital 73 and Alex Morris also collected a half-century as Hoylandswaine defeated visitors Scholes by 13 runs.

Steve Whitwam, who topped last term’s batting averages, had to be content with an innings of 33 in Golcar’s 76-run win against Slaithwaite. The match was reduced to 25 overs a side, Eddie Wilson hitting a half-century for Golcar.

Kirkheaton all-rounder Kamran Saleem took 8-16 and made an undefeated half-century to dominate his side’s nine-wicket win over Rastrick.