TWO New Zealanders will go head-to-head in a crunch Frank Platt Championship derby tomorrow.
The clash between Broad Oak and Slaithwaite pits third against second in the early race for promotion to the Drakes League top flight (1.30).
Broad Oak have 24-year-old Otago leg-break bowler Rhys Phillips leading their attack, fresh from crushing Lepton with a seven for 40 haul on Bank Holiday Monday.
Up front for Slaithwaite is 20-year-old left-arm seamer Sean Davey from Northern Districts, who had five for 53 against Clayton West when rain ruined their last match at Hill Top at the half-way stage.
Leaders Thongsbridge – nine points clear of Slaithwaite and 10 ahead of the Oak – are at home to Linthwaite.
In the Drakes Premiership the top clash involves leaders Shepley taking on fourth-placed Delph & Dobcross at Marsh Lane, while in the Cedar Court Conference third-placed Emley Clarence have home advantage as they bid to become the first team this season to beat newcomers and unbeaten league leaders Moorlands.
There’s a boost for Huddersfield for Sunday’s Joe Lumb Cup clash with Bradford at Pudsey St Lawrence.
Will Fraine – who is expected to play for Honley at Skelmanthorpe tomorrow in the Drakes Premiership – is available after being on duty for Yorkshire’s Academy side this week.
The line-up is otherwise much the same as beat North Yorks/South Durham in the opening game.
Huddersfield – Tim Taylor, Will Fraine and Harvey Booth (all Honley), Joe Smith (Marsden), Rohan Randhawa (Thongsbridge), Toby Booth (Scholes), Bradley Birkhead and Jordan Ghani (both Rastrick), Joe Lockwood (Golcar), Alex Clegg (Meltham) and Louis Richardson (Crigglestone).
