HONLEY lifted the Johnson Cup after winning the Drakes League’s Premiership II – just 12 months after gaining promotion from the Championship.

Going into the final game of the season against Marsden, Honley held a one-point lead over last year’s champions Kirkburton, but it wasn’t all plain sailing for Simon England’s side.

Having won the toss and stuck Marsden in to bat first, Honley claimed early wickets, Tom Woodhead taking three for 24.

But knowing they needed all six points to be sure of the title, Honley were struggling to bowl the visitors out.

“We’d heard that Burton had bowled Golcar out, and knew we had to do the same,” said England.

“I just told the lads to be patient, shuffled the bowling around, and we managed to get the last four wickets in three overs to bowl them out for 147 with an over to spare.”

However, Honley suffered another dip in fortunes when they began their run chase, and were in big trouble at 30-4 and 45-5.

But then veteran John Andrew joined his skipper in the middle, and between them they began to pull it round, before the former was dismissed for 22 having made a crucial contribution for the sixth-wicket partnership.

Ben Lindley then came in as he and England led Honley to victory, the skipper ending unbeaten on 49.

“It was nervy day overall, but nice to win it in the way we did,” added England.

“Having won the Championship last year we went into the Premiership with the aim of mainly hoping to consolidate our position, but we’re delighted to have won the title.

“We’ve got some good youngsters in the side, like 14-year-old Tom Woodhead who has opened the bowling all season, which bodes well for the future,”

DRAKES PREMIERSHIP TWO

Armitage Bridge 70 (T Nicholson 3-11) Barkisland 84 (T Nicholson 25; M Williamson 3-21).

Honley 149-6 (S England 49no) Marsden 147 (C Zaffino 56, A Moorhouse 25; T Woodhead 3-24).

Kirkburton 123-3 (J Ardron 34, D Lindley 62no) Golcar 122 (G Crowther 30, C Chapman 34; J Ardron 3-13, R Kettlewell 3-23).

Meltham 174 (R Burgin 48, M White 44; E Pearson 4-49, I Bray 3-41) Scholes 56 (C Field 3-16, M Rudkin 3-19).

Shepley 193-9 (A Carter 29, J Dearnley 32; R Wadsworth 3-14) Broad Oak 175-9 (N Shaw 28, S Peacock 39no; S Glover 4-45).

Skelmanthorpe 141 (A Dollive 37, S Alderson 26) Elland 142-9 (C Walker 28, A Blakey 43; D Storey 4-37).

Slaithwaite 218-5 (M Payne 54, H Jones 57, R Haslam 48no) Hoylandswaine 126 (S Marsh 29, L Potter 27; H Garside 3-10, T Payne 3-33).

FRANK PLATT CHAMPIONSHIP TWO

Cawthorne 63-2 (W Mott 40no) Holmfirth 59.

Clayton West 176-0 (H Senior 100no, A Wilford 55no) Thongsbridge 173 (M Bridge 47, R Berry 45no, R Kirk 46; P Rigby 6-20).

Emley Clarence 152 (U Siddique 32, H Knapper 26 , M Howard 48; N Jones 3-25) Delph & Dobcross 215-7 (R Simpson 31, J Thompson 91, N Jones 28no; A Moors 3-60).

CEDAR COURT CONFERENCE TWO

Almondbury 80 (J Mir 3-22) Kirkheaton 84-2 (M Asaf 36no).

Lepton Highlanders 76 (J Fernyhough 3-22) Linthwaite 266-3 (D Barker 33, L Renwick 100, J Barber 60no, J Fernyhough 42no).

Rastrick 129 (J Middleton 47, A Pearson 29; P Metcalfe 5-13) Paddock 221-8 (F Ahmed 27, N Saleem 70, M Booth 43no; A Pearson 3-26).