Cricket: Final day race for Drakes League

Sep 8 2008 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GOLCAR and Honley face a dramatic final-day race for the Drakes League title on Saturday after both were left kicking their heels because of the weekend deluge.

But Marsden were all smiles after grabbing home advantage for Sunday’s Conference play-off final against Broad Oak when they toppled hosts Armitage Bridge by eight wickets in a 25-overs-a-side thrash in swamp-like conditions.

No play was possible at the Broad Oak versus Almondbury clash, so many of their players headed for the Bridge and were amazed that any action took place there.

Marsden’s win gave them more league points than their Colne Valley rivals and so home advantage.

Marsden’s Ian Bray took four for 20 before Armitage Bridge rallied from 31-6 thanks to Jason Vickerman (21) and skipper Rick Lunn (20) who pushed them to a respectable score of 85-9.

But openers Paul Hamer (39) and Martin Kyle (20) gave Marsden a solid platform, which was more than could be said for the square!

Broad Oak could have missed out on the play-offs altogether as rivals Kirkheaton’s home game with Thongsbridge went ahead.

But needing to bowl out their visitors for the necessary six-point maximum, Kirkheaton could take only eight wickets (for 121 runs), and were then bowled out for 98 as Sairjit-Pal Singh took eight for 40, the best bowling figures anywhere in the league this season.

Chris Murdoch toiled manfully for Yetton, taking five for 25 from 14 overs and top-scoring with 33, but it was all to no avail as the Bankfield club face another year in the Conference.

Locked on 97 points apiece prior to Saturday’s programme, Golcar and Honley both had to settle for two points as their respective games at Delph & Dobcross and Meltham were wiped out.

Golcar now entertain Micklehurst knowing a six-point victory will clinch the title as they have more outright wins than Honley, who entertain Sykes Cup holders Barkisland.

Only two games were played in the Premiership.

Elland beat already-relegated Emley Clarence by eight wickets to move into third place, while Micklehurst were also eight-wicket winners over Lascelles Hall, who are also doomed to the drop.