BATTING conditions were not easy for Central League sides, reflected by the low scores at the weekend with Premiership leaders Cumberworth crashing to Azaad.

Zaaid Sajawal struck with seven for 25 as Cumberworth collapse to 72 all out, before Azzad won with five wickets to spare.

And that defeat gave Westborough the chance to leapfrog back to the top, which they duly did when they beat Thurstonland in another of the day’s low-scoring affairs.

Riyaz Matala and Nick Finnigan each had four victims as Thurstonland were rolled over for just 41. But Westborough struggled to even those, losing six wickets along the way as Jordan Thackray bagged five for 14.

Hoylandswaine were one team who didn’t have a problem knocking off winning runs. Having restricted Cawthorne to 92-9, Danny Mulhall (four for 10) and Ian Simon (four for 55), Ankur Sondhi hit an unbeaten 44 as the Swaine won with nine wickets to spare.

Andy Bissett’s 96 for Cartworth Moor’s first team was the day’s best knock, which paved the way for a 179-9 total before Bichencliffe were hustled out for 42.

But if Cartworth Moor’s first team were in good nick, the same could not be said for their second team.

For after bowling out Old Almondburians B in a E section game at Arkenley Lane, for just 45, Cartworth capitulated completely against the twin threat of the youth of Tom Slack and the vast experience of Graham Cliffe, who ripped Moor to shreds with six for six, and four for four respectively to send them packing for a paltry 13!

Mirfield remain top of Section A after getting the better of Woodfield Park in another low-scorer.

The leaders were restricted to 86-8 at the Police ground, but then sent the home team packing for 40.

The week’s best bowling efforts came from Badger Hill’s A Wood and Woodfield Park’s S Knott, who both had eight for 29 returns.

Thurstonland finally reached the third round of the Allsop Cup, after beating Denby Dale by 64 runs in the overdue re-arranged second round tie.

John Eastwood was Thurstonland’s top-scorer with 42, backed up by Jack Oldham (29) and extras (28) in the 167 all out tally.

Richard Lammyman made 36 in reply before being run out and the Dale’s middle order quickly folded to Lee Booth (four for 25) and were all out for 103.

Thurstonland will now entertain Almondbury Wesleyans, on Sunday with the winners facing Hoylandswaine in the semi-finals.

The other third round ties, involve Cumberworth v Edgerton & Dalton, who will meet the winners of the Crossbank v Cawthorne game.