WHILE Cumberworth became the first team to defeat newcomers Moorlands in Drakes League cricket, the Premiership title race has suddenly been given a monumental shake-up.

Leaders Shepley were taken down by just one wicket in a solid all-round show from Kirkburton, allowing Steve Whitwam and Cameron Fletcher to inspire Golcar to victory against Elland and close the gap at the top to nine points ahead of yesterday’s fixtures (see tomorrow’s Examiner Sport).

Honley have also catapulted themselves into the mix thanks to a fine century from the league’s 711-run leading scorer Simon Kelly against Delph & Dobcross, although Kelly is now unavailable for a couple of games.

The surprise result of the day came at Mirfield Memorial Park in the Cedar Court Conference, where the runaway leaders Moorlands were beaten for the first time since joining as Richard Parkes and Ashley Littlewood took three wickets apiece to restrict the home side to 168-9 in reply to a 198 total, in which James Bower made 73.

While Frank Platt Championship leaders Thongsbridge won again – skipper Ben Raven-Hill hitting 83 against Meltham – their top-flight counterparts Shepley were undone by Greg Buckley and a Kirkburton side they face again in the arrowselfdrive Sykes Cup semi-finals this coming Sunday at Marsh Lane.

Sean Savage hit 46, skipper Danny Glover 42 not out and Liam Wiles 41, but Shepley were pegged back by Buckley’s three for 40 in posting 187-9.

Buckley then contributed 32 alongside Andrew Smith’s half-century and Oliver Davidson’s 47 as Burton scraped home by the narrowest of margins, Danny Glover taking five for 52 and left-arm spinner Danny Wood four for 47.

Fletcher hit 90 and Whitwam 69 in the Golcar total of 228-8 against Elland at Swallow Lane and then Whitwam backed up Danny Rhodes five for 61 with three for 27 as the visitors were dismissed for 153 despite a spectacular 101 from Niall Lockley.

Joe Lumb captain Tim Taylor took five for 72 to set up Honley’s victory against Delph, whose 218 included 68 from Arron Lilley.

Taylor then had 37 with the bat to back up Kelly’s unbeaten 102 as Honley got home for the loss of four wickets.

Hall Bower moved within striking distance of the top four thanks to a 67-run win over Scholes.

Hasnat Yousaf and Wajid Hussain were the main men for the Bower with a 134-run stand for the third wicket taking just 66 minutes as they totalled 256-8.

Yousaf hit 10 fours and six sixes in his 85 while Hussain had a six and 12 other boundaries in his 81.

Yousaf then picked up three wickets and Yogesh Golwalkar four for 64 as Scholes perished three runs short of a point on 189 when Pete Sceresini was caught for 47.

Marsden moved out of the relegation places as Chris Kilner hit 60 in their 224 at Skelmanthorpe. Kilner then had four for 64 and Shadab Jakati – the ex-IPL player who had hit 59 – three for 66 as Skelmanthorpe closed on 210-7 to fall to the bottom of the standings – Haroon Rashid hitting 68.

Bilal Khiljee hit another century for Shelley but their 229-7 was no challenge for Hoylandswaine duo Alex Morris and Amar Rashid, who finished unbeaten on 103 and 122 respectively as the champions scored a 10-wicket win.

Holmfirth improved their chances of survival with a one-wicket win against Barkisland.