The first significant move in the Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership title race has been made by Delph & Dobcross.
They opened up a six-point lead by ending the unbeaten record of nearest rivals Shepley and extending their own 100% start to eight matches.
Shepley have been joined in joint second, too, by newly-promoted Armitage Bridge, who scored a three-wicket victory at Cawthorne and continue to impress on their return to the top flight.
Shepley were restricted to 164-9 at Huddersfield Road, where Wasim Qasim collected three for 25 and Shak Muhhamad two for 55 in addition to two catches and a run-out.
Keeper Shahban Raheem top scored for the visitors with 36, including three fours and a six, while Gary Bradley hit 31 at No4 including three boundaries and a six.
Lancashire’s Arron Lilley picked up two for 25 in 15 excellent overs while Greg Buckley had one for 49 in 10 before going on to anchor Delph’s successful reply with 62 off 68 deliveries.
Buckley hit 10 fours and three sixes and received valuable back-up from skipper Andrew Gleave with 37, while Tom Burkinshaw collected three for 54 for Shepley.
At Cawthorne, Danny Moorhouse scooped four for 12 and Jack Hinchliffe three for 31 as Armitage Bridge dismissed their hosts for 123, of which Lewis Skelly had 47.
Murtuza Hussain picked up four for 42 to ensure the Bridge didn’t race to victory, but they got home with three wickets in hand thanks to 33 from Imran Malik.
Hoylandswaine stayed on the heels of the leading trio with a Michael Cranmer-inspired victory at Golcar.
Iain Wardlaw and Murtaza Hussain picked up three wickets each as Golcar were held at 159 all out, Craig Ruscoe top scoring for Golcar with 32.
Aussie all-rounder Cranmer then hit 104 not out to steer his side to victory at 165-2.
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There was no joy for bottom clubs Shelley and Honley.
Ovais Hussain hit 85 in a Shelley total of 166 at home to Skelmanthorpe, but the visitors won by seven wickets thanks to 59 from Dan Morgan and 56 from Amar Rashid.
Honley had hopes of a first league success of the season when they dismissed hosts Scholes for 145, in which Kiwi Tom MacRury hit a fine 89 and Eden Pearson a quick, late 28.
Aussie Andrew Padbury picked up four for 33 and Tom Craddock four for 39, but the reply was wrecked by some fine bowling from the Brook brothers, Tom, Louis and Josh.
Louis picked up three for 26 and Josh three for 27 after Tom had tied things up from the bottom end with an accurate 15-over spell, Honley being sent back for 108.
Broad Oak got back to winning ways with a nine-wicket win at Elland, who were bowled out for 136 with Harvey Booth taking six for 33. Jacob Bower top scored for Elland with 34 not out.
Northern Districts’ Henry Cooper with 72 not out and Dom Finn with 51 not out then guided the Oak to six points after Charlie Roebuck had gone for nought.
At Kirkburton, Barkisland won by six wickets after spinners Matt Steers (four for 33) and Rijnier Coetzer (four for 41) sent back the hosts for 138. Siraj Sajid top scored for Burton with 56.
Luke Bridges (43) and Zimbabwean Gary Chirimuuta (37) did the necessary for the Woodfield side as they reached 141-4.
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