KIRKBURTON emphatically clinched the Drakes Premiership Two League championship crown by walloping their only possible title rivals Skelmanthorpe.

Having led for a large part of the season, the Riley Lane side, under the captaincy of James Newsome, could only have been caught by Skelmanthorpe going into the first part of the weekend double header.

But they ended any possible doubts by knocking over their Lidgett Lane visitors for 102 with Josh Ingham taking five for eight in 4.5 overs, while Rob Kettlewell took out the middle order with three for 13.

Wicketkeeper-batsman George Smith then finished Skelmanthorpe off with an unbeaten 43 as Burton raced to victory (and the League title) by seven wickets.

It didn’t matter that they were deprived of another win on Sunday at Meltham when their match was one of five wrecked by the late afternoon rain when in a good position to push on for victory.

Having bowled Meltham out for 150, Kettlewell again among the wickets with five for 37 and Jimmy Lodge taking three for 48, Dave Greaves (40) and Gary Eastwood (34) had taken them 87 before being dismissed, at which point the weather had the final say – but it couldn’t rain on Kirkburton’s parade!

And with Meltham also going down the previous day, it confirmed they, along with Kirkheaton and Micklehurst will be playing in Division II next season.

Armitage Bridge beat Linthwaite by nine wickets, but still need a point from this week’s top-of-the-table clash with Broad Oak to collect the Frank Platt title, although the leaders are guaranteed at least a top-two finish.

However, the Cedar Court title is still up for grabs, with Emley Clarence taking over the lead by just a point from 10-man Lepton Highlanders who went down to Rastrick by 17 runs at Round Hill, where Colin Jowett (51) and Jacob Waterson (63no) put on 119 for the second wicket before Allan Bottomley claimed six for 40.