A DOUBLE century stand from Gary Eastwood and David Greaves ensured Kirkburton stayed ahead of the field in the Drakes Premiership Second Eleven competition, while at the same time ending Holmfirth’s slim title hopes.
The former Shelley openers have enjoyed a terrific season since moving to Riley Lane, but this was by far their best start as Greaves made 104 before being run out, while Eastwood continued to 143 not out as Burton posted a hefty 268-2 tally.
Chris Cowell replied with 86 for the visitors, while Seb Allen lent support with 37, but they were held well short at 205-8 by a side containing six Under 16 players.
Skelmanthorpe have the easier run-in and remain just two points behind Kirkburton after beating Broad Oak by nine wickets. Josh Clarkson made an unbeaten 62 and Stuart Hartill 35 not out after the Oak were bowled out for 118.
Slaithwaite remain third after beating Scholes by 27 runs at Chapelgate, Chris Payne and Derrick Maguire both scoring half-centuries for the visitors.
The Bryson brothers Jack (52) and Harry (38), along with Paul Hertzberg tried to run the target down, but had to settle for a point.
Half-centuries from Honley’s Tom Kaye and David Brooke, along with 65 not out from Chris Brown proved too much for Golcar, while Meltham just managed to beat the rain and Primrose Hill, but not before a delay of 50 minutes had threatened their victory.
Eventually after some debate, they returned to the field and Simon Holmes (86 not out) steered Meltham to a three-wicket win.
Top score of the day came in the Cedar Court Conference, where leaders Barkisland thrashed 320-3 off the Paddock attack, Simon Finch making 111, backed up by Jamie Sykes (64), Callum Thompson (51no) and Russ Holroyd (41no).
Sykes then claimed five for 45 as Paddock were bowled out for 133.
Marsden still head Hall Bower by a point in the Frank Platt Conference, the Hemplow side taking six points from their game against Thongsbridge, while the Bower rolled Clayton West over for 45, with Mark Beaumont and David Crane each claiming five wickets after 84 from Danny Moss had steered the home side to 200.
There were plenty of other low scores as Rastrick were dismissed for 64, Martin Hallas taking four for eight from 11 overs, which won him the race to 40 League wickets and the Examiner prize for Second Eleven bowlers.
Ten-man Kexborough were sent back for 48 at Armitage Bridge, while Linthwaite fared little better at Delph, collapsing to 55 all out, Steve Broadbent taking five for 25 and Mark Corless four for two.
Lascelles Hall youngster Jack Owen produced a classy unbeaten 71 in their eight-wicket win over Lepton, while Emley’s Welfare Ground match against Almondbury was called off because the visitors turned up with only six men to fulfil the fixture.
