NICKY SHARP ran riot as high-scoring Clayton West topped 300 for the fourth time this term in the Championship, while Honley maintained their 100% record at Marsden to stay clear in the Premiership.

Simon Kelly (117) kept Honley ahead of the field with his third ton of the summer, as he and Danny Howard (72) put on 188 for the first wicket at Hemplow to help them overhaul Marsden’s very respectable 264-8 total in which Matt Butters (77), Martin Kyle (62) and Ibrar Ul-Haq (52) scored the bulk.

But it was Sharp – son of former Yorkshire county player Kevin – who took the individual plaudits with a magnificent 162 against Meltham as Clayton made 315-4, Sharp getting excellent support from Stuart Rank (74no) as they put on 182 for the fourth wicket.

Australian Chris Thomson then grabbed five for 28 as Meltham crumbled to 49-6 before finally being dismissed for 158, Ben Cockshaw’s 44 the best of the rest.

Back in the top flight, Shepley had their own century-maker as Tom Denton became the fourth Marsh Lane man to top the ton in the League this season when he and Liam Miles (70) featured in a stand worth 177 for the third wicket at Scholes.

Denton was finally dismissed by Tom Brook for 128 which came off 123 balls and included 14 fours and four sixes as Shepley posted 279-5.

Danny Glover (four for 94) then quickly had Scholes on the back foot with three early wickets before Don Bandula Ranjith got it on the act with five for 38 and finished Scholes off with a hat trick as he trapped Tom Boorman leg before.

Undoubtedly the day’s biggest shock was at Holmfirth, where Skelmanthorpe were bundled over for 129 by Darren Lockwood’s off-spin as he claimed six for 22 for the division’s bottom side.

Earlier, Holmfirth had limped along to 136-7 thanks largely to Dave Cocking made a late unbeaten 39.

Struggling Elland and Golcar both did themselves a power of good with victories, the best coming from Elland at Hoylandwaine, where Greg Finn made an excellent 99 before being caught on the boundary, while Ryan Robinson made 69 to lift the visitors to 279-8.

Yorkshire’s Joe Sayers was an early victim for Kiwi Chris Cooper, and although Alex Morris made 65, Swaine were dismissed for 218.

Over at Swallow Lane, Craig Horner hit an unbeaten 68 and Steve Whitwam 40 as Golcar overhauled Barkisland’s 155-9 total with ease, Dhiraj Goswami top-scoring for the visitors with 50, while Leigh Kentish took four for 43 to add to his 35 not out.

Delph & Dobcross brushed aside Broad Oak, who crashed to 59 all out against Kyle Hogg (five for 37) and Bilal Khiljee (four for 15) before Irfan Zahoor (32no) and Bruce Cruse (28no) knocked them off in seven over against the 15-year-old bowling attack of Daniel Rushworth and Alex Walker.

And Kirkburton stayed in the title hunt with a 47-run win over Slaithwaite, Charlie Roebuck taking five for 34 after wicketkeeper George Smith had given his side something to bowl at with an unbeaten 69 (11 fours, one six).

If Holmfirth’s first League win of the season come as a surprise, then so did victories for the other two bottom sides in the lower divisions.

Micklehurst gained only their second of the summer when they edged a nervy affair at Almondbury who were bowled out for 97, Nick Lawrence claiming a remarkable return of five for seven in seven overs.

Wasim Khaliq took four for 29 in reply, but Micklehurst crept over the line with two wickets in hand, Mark Blomeley top-scoring with 31.

Shelley stayed top of the table after beating Lepton, for whom Dale Winterbottom opened and carried his bat for an unbeaten 102. But the Westerley Lane men got home with two wickets and a ball to spare, thanks to Sam Scott (80) and Scott Marsh (57).

And Kexborough remained in touch with the leaders after beating Hall Bower with half-centuries from Mark Bray (70) and Adam Wiles (50) after Andy Peaker’s battling 77 (batting at No9) and 74 from Tom Cliffe.

And to cap a good day for the underdogs, Conference basement side Linthwaite beat top of the division Emley Clarence by three runs after half-centuries from Mohammed Ihsan (57) and Mohammed Riaz (50).

Kirkheaton halted Lascelles Hall’s good run with Sam Atkinson making 51 not out and Armitage Bridge knocked over Rastrick thanks to Rick Lunn’s six for 24 return, while Paddock went back to the top of the table after beating Thongsbridge by seven wickets, Timmy Shah making 75 not out and Zahid Ahmed 59 after a five-wicket haul from Jonathan Lees (five for 28).