Cricket: Delph stop Golcar run

Jun 29 2009 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DELPH STOP GOLCAR RUN

STEVE WHITWAM hit Delph & Dobcross’ title hopes for six on Saturday when he spun Golcar to maximum points over the previously second-placed club.

And not only did that improve Golcar’s modest lot, but also it allowed home skipper Ashley Pamment’s former club Scholes to open up a massive 11-point lead at the top of the Premiership.

James Sykes (47) and Ben Robshaw (36) were Golcar’s main run-getters in a 179-9 total, in which Delph spinner Arron Lilley took five for 51. But the visitors’ batsmen were similarly bamboozled by the slow stuff, as Whitwam tucked in with six for 45 to dispatch the title challengers for a mere 88.

Scholes, meanwhile, were helping themselves to a maximum haul at Clayton West, where Iqbal Khan (100) and his captain James Noble (74) put on 161 for the second wicket as they piled up 290-5 at Back Lane.

Kashif Rasheed responded with a solid 88 and Nick Sharpe 36 against his former club, but five wickets from Shane Mott had Clayton all out almost 100 short.

Elland moved into second spot on the back of 41-run win over Skelmanthorpe, Lee Baxter’s half-century leading the way for the Hullen Edgers with support from Greg Finn (36) and James Thornton (34).

Thornton and Greg Buckley then each picked up three wickets as the visitors had to settle for just a point at 151-8, Max Joice (44) and Qaiser Rashid (42) the only Skelmanthorpe batsmen to get a start.

Honley continued their steady climb up the table, this time at the expense of Valley neighbours Holmfirth who were indebted to veteran bowler Dave Cocking for making an unbeaten 43 to give them something to bowl at with 160-9 on the board.

The visitors were not looking too clever at 31-3 and John Greaves, Mike Fraine and Simon Kelly all back in the hutch, but Matthew Wood (70), Danny Howard (37no) and Richard Jakeman (27no) make it seven on the bounce for the reigning League champions.