MAX JOICE scored a towering 145 not out to topple Townville in the opening round of the Heavy Woollen Cup at Skelmanthorpe.

Batting first Townville made 239-9, with five of their batsmen getting good starts, but only Peter Hepworth (70no) making a substantial score as Scott Dyson bowled a solid 10-over spell to claim three for 31.

Sarfraz Ahmed (22) and Tim Sykes (24) both went cheaply, but Townville simply could not contain wicketkeeper batsman Joice who played a terrific innings.

Sykes hung round long enough to help his teammate put on 82 for the second wicket, but it was almost a one-man show as Joice led the side home to a thrilling two-wicket win with almost two overs to spare.

Another man on song was Shelley’s Bradley Parker, who put New Farnley to the sword with an undefeated 142, which included 15 fours and three sixes when opening the batting.

He featured in a century stand with veteran keeper Tim Jones (43) as Shelley knocked over their opponents’ 253-7 for the loss of six wickets, helped by 32 wides.

Shepley were even more destructive as new signing SP Singh cracked 18 fours and one six in an unbeaten 122, and featured in a stand of 123 for the second wicket with Tim Rees, who found some good form with 12 fours and a couple of sixes in his 81 as the home side rattled up 298-6 against Carlton .

Three wickets each for Romaine Grenville and Chris Cox had the visitors in trouble, and they were finally dismissed for 120.

There was also a century stand at Barkisland, where skipper Paul Winrow scored his first century of the season (he had made a half-century the previous day in the League), backed up well by his opening partner Simon Wheelwright (58) and Alex Scholefield (32) as the Calderdale men raced to 202-1, overtaking Slaithwaite’s total in just over 30 overs.

Ejaz Khan was the visitors’ leading scorer with 69, while Scholefield and Daniel Sykes each claimed four wickets for Barkisland.

Scholes hit the biggest tally of the first round at Clayton West, when Iqbal Khan made a superb unbeaten 128 out of a 311-6 total, which was boosted significantly by Aussie Shane Mott’s late blast.

The new signing from near Sydney slammed six sixes in an entertaining cameo of 54 from 23 deliveries.

Johnny Butterfield made 74 in reply and Nick Sharp 32, but Clayton were never in the hunt, as Mott followed up with three wickets to add to the three he had against Holmfirth.

There wasn’t much joy for Lascelles Hall, Golcar and Kirkheaton, who all went out at the first hurdle.

Hall skipper Shaun Woodhams made a battling 83 for his side, but support was limited at best, and they were dismissed for 127 at Birstall, who went on to win by nine wickets.

Kirkheaton were swamped at Methley, where the home side smashed 309-4 before dismissing the Bankfield club for 169, while Golcar were never in the game at Undercliffe, who totalled 213-8 before knocking over the Swallow Laners for 84.