THERE was no change at the top of the Premiership as the top three all won in the second part of the double-header weekend – but Slaithwaite threw themselves a lifeline with victory over Skelmanthorpe.
Paul Davis claimed his best return of the season for Skelmanthorpe with a seven for 54 haul and had Slaithwaite in bother at 26-3, but then wicketkeeper Ian Holt produced one of his best knocks of the summer with 64 and found good support from Ibrar Younas (34) and Bjorn Taylor (36) to lift the Hill Toppers to 200-9.
Slaithwaite skipper Ronan Bruce then took centre stage with a six for 21 haul from 14 overs to scythe through the Skelmanthorpe line-up, as the beaten Sykes Cup finalists perished for just 89.
And that six welcome points hoisted Slaithwaite above Marsden and just a point behind Broad Oak as the battle to join Barkisland in the Frank Platt Championship next season now goes down to the final week.
Broad Oak were dragged into the relegation battle after a terrific tussle at Scholes, where the home side made 253-9, thanks largely to Mark Floyd, who blasted 105 off just 66 balls, including 12 fours and eight sixes.
The Oak tumbled to 36-3 before Chris Gill (59) and Jack Hargreaves (65) led the recovery to 147-4 and Max Freeland carried it on with 65 before becoming one of three victims for Tom Love.
But with four needed for victory off the last ball, Richard Metcalfe was run out by Scholes captain James Noble after completing two runs, leaving them one adrift.
Marsden recovered from 56-4 to hold out for a point at Kirkburton, Chris Coleman making a half-century with Nicky Clee (42) in the 195-7 tally, but Burton passed it with six wickets in hand, thanks to Charlie Roebuck’s unbeaten 87 (12 fours, two sixes), 42 from Andy Smith and 33 not out from Ryan Robinson.
Honley remain top however after a nervy two-wicket win over Elland, for whom Dan Wood made 79 not out in their 207-5 total.
Simon Kelly made 47 in reply, but it Max Joice’s 78 which hoisted Honley to within sight of victory before a late shutter had them sweating a little.
Delph had no such problems in beating Shelley by six wickets after bowling their visitors out for 78, Adan Ghaus taking six for 18.
Shepley moved up to fourth after Liam Wiles made 56 out of a 231 score, Gary Colman taking five for 41 before Barkisland were dismissed for 123, SP Singh taking four for 10.
Craig Horner was a five-wicket performer in Hoylandswaine’s 264-7, John Sadler again on the mark with 90 and Calvin Flowers 68, but 81 from Steve Whitwam, backed up by Craig Ruscoe (47no) saw Golcar home by six wickets.