Three-way shoot-out for Drakes honours

Reigning champions Honley hold a one-point lead over Kirkburton, with Delph & Dobcross a further point behind. Honley complete their fixtures at relegation-threatened Slaithwaite, Kirkburton have home advantage against Scholes and Delph are at home to Broad Oak.

Delph were the only members of the top three to take maximum points yesterday with a six-wicket victory over Shelley. Pace bowler Adnan Ghaus (6-18 in 10.3 overs) and spinner Arron Lilley (3-5 in five overs) hustled the visitors out for 78, Lilley then making an undefeated 29 as Delph reached their target in just 14 overs.

Honley and Kirkburton both registered five-point wins. Honley defeated Elland by two wickets despite an undefeated 79 from Dan Wood. Max Joice made 78 for Honley who passed the Elland total of 207-5 in the 47th over.

Charlie Roebuck shone with the bat for Kirkburton who overcame Marsden by six wickets. Marsden posted 195-7, a total Kirkburton passed after 32 overs, Roebuck hitting an unbeaten 87 containing 12 fours and two sixes. Ryan Robinson also played his part with 33 not out and 3-37.

There was a nail-biting finish at Scholes where Mark Floyd’s century helped the home side to 253-9. Oak needed three to win off the last ball but Richard Metcalfe was run out going for the third run. Jack Hargreaves hit 65 and took four wickets for the losers.

Golcar’s Steve Whitwam and Hoylandswaine’s John Sadler were again in form with the bat, Whitwam slamming 81 and Sadler 90 but Golcar came out on top by six wickets, Craig Horner grabbing five wickets.

Off-spinner Sarjinder Pal Singh took 4-10 in seven overs as Shepley defeated Barkisland by 108 runs. Gary Colman claimed 5-41 for Barkisland. Australian pace-man Paul Davis had 7-54 for Skelmanthorpe but they lost by 111 runs at Slaithwaite for whom Ronan Bruce grabbed 6-21, including nine maidens. Ian Holt struck a half-century for the winners.