Yasir Abbas was the all-round hero for Hoylandswaine as he put them joint top of the Drakes Premiership at the half-way point of the season.

While top-table rivals Shepley didn’t play on Saturday – one of eight matches in the three sections not to start – Swaine picked up all six points at Delph in a 35-over game.

Former East Bierley player Abbas led the way with the bat on 59 as Swaine totalled 200-7 at Huddersfield Road, SP Singh adding 38 , Gharib Nawaz 34 and skipper Michael Cranmer 29 – Jamshad Ahmad the best of the Delph bowlers with four for 76.

The home side were given little chance to gain momentum in reply as Cranmer picked up three for nine, and with Zafir Patel and Abbas each them claiming three wickets the points were off to Haigh Lane.

Barkisland ensured they stayed in fourth by taking five points at Skelmanthorpe in another reduced-overs clash.

Aussie LJ brown hit 55 and Luke Bridges 40 as Barkisland put up a challenging 150-6, spinner Josh Ingham taking three wickets.

Alex Scholefield put the peg on his old club, however, taking three for 67 and the home side were held at 131-7 by Darren Robinson’s side, despite 37 from Irfan Amjad.

Honley moved up nicely thanks to a fine 75 not out in 74 balls from skipper Simon Kelly in a 34-over clash with rivals Elland at Far End Lane.

Aussie Daniel Arms hit four boundaries in his 25 as Elland reached 43-2 in 12, but their innings was given real momentum by Alex Rowles, who made a well-constructed 79 off 82 deliveries – including some big sixes over the clubhouse – to steer the visitors to 160-6.

The 22-year-old hit nine fours and three sixes, sharing a 67-run partnership with skipper Greg Finn, who eventually fell to Under 15 left-arm spinner Lewis Kenworthy for 19.

Jack Hendy added 20 runs in 10 balls at the end, but Honley made a quickfire start in reply thanks to 29 off 28 from Richard Jakeman. Kelly, who had taken three wickets, began patiently but then opened up after Jakeman had gone.

His 50 came in the 18th over and he shared a 55-run second-wicket partnership with keeper Eddie Wilson which then kept Honley right on the rate.

Kelly and Max Joice saw Honley home in the 24th over with an unbeaten stand of 62, the skipper having hit seven fours and four sixes in his 75 not out and Joice eight fours in his 39 from just 24 deliveries.

Slaithwaite have increased the pressure on their rivals at the bottom of the top flight with a thrilling victory over Kirkburton – with Dave Berry taking a seven-for to win the game.

Slaithwaite totalled 151-5 with the help of an excellent unbeaten 57 from Aussie signing Nathan Freitag. Berry hit 36 and skipper Ian Holt 31.

Berry did the damage with the ball claiming seven for 65 – Tom Burkinshaw the best of the Burton batsmen with 28 – and when the last delivery had been bowled, the Riley Lane side were still five runs short of their target.

In the Jedi Sports Championship, Broad Oak went top without even playing thanks to Marsden’s defeat at Clayton West, where Tom Barber hit 89 and Stuart Rank 43.

Marsden were undone by Jacob Hawke’s six for 58 when trying to chase down 176-5 and finished on 121-9.

Moorlands maintained their challenge with a seven-wicket win against Armitage Bridge, who had Haydn Charlton on 28 but were sent back for 93 thanks to five wickets for Chris Lloyd and four for skipper Andrew Walker. Louis Aspeling got the home side over the line with 51.

Thongsbridge closed up with a five-point win at Cawthorne after posting 191-4 thanks to Robb Macmillan’s 93, Chris Walmsley taking three for 68.

Cawthorne were then held at 118-9 with Zafir Iqbal taking four for 38.

In the Cedar Court Conference, Kirkheaton extended their lead with a narrow win at Cumberworth.

Solman hit 60 and Matthew Lambert 33 in the Kirkheaton total of 156-8.

Cumberworth replied with 147-7, James Senior hitting 63 and Richard Hall taking three for 72.

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