MOHAMMAD SHAH NAWAZ produced a stunning seven-wicket spell to clinch a thrilling derby victory over champions Honley and propel Scholes to joint top of the Drakes Premiership.

The signing from Mirfield Parish Cavaliers – one of five new faces in the Chapelgate line-up – decimated the Honley order to seal a seven-run victory for James Noble’s promoted Cedar Court Conference champions, who are now level with Delph & Dobcross.

It was a captivating match throughout as Ritchie Howarth and Harlon Haye both found plenty of nip in the Chapelgate strip to restrict the home side to 157 – they were all out off the final delivery of their 48-over innings as Haye completed figures of four for 52 to add to Howarth’s six for 88.

While Noble posted 26 and Ibrar Latif 40 in difficult batting conditions, Scholes had Australian Shane Mott to thank for topping 150 as he included some lusty blows in his 38.

Mott then led the bowling attack superbly, making life difficult for free-scoring Simon Kelly (12), Matthew Wood (26) and Michael Fraine (41) at the top of the order and gaining excellent support from the luckless Andy Alsop.

Honley seemed set, however, as they reached 78-1, but it was the introduction of Shah Nawaz – known as Shaz – which proved decisive as he claimed seven for 59 from 12 overs to dismiss Honley for 150 with an over to spare, despite a brilliant late effort from Martin Green (38) to get his side across the line.

Joint leaders Delph & Dobcross were never troubled by Broad Oak, who managed just 99-9 in reply to the visitors’ 201-5 tally, Aaron Lilley hitting 61 before being run out.

Holmfirth were skittled for the lowest score of the season at Barkisland, where Matt Gummerson was the only player in double figures, his 12 runs accounting for almost half the side’s paltry total of 27!

Alex Scholefield took four for five from eight overs, having earlier top-scored for 50 and Ben Wells making 45, with leg-spinner Tom Craddock (four for 24) again in the wickets.

Skelmanthorpe moved up to third spot after beating Meltham by three wickets.

Craig Glover took five for 43 as Meltham made 177, thanks largely to Matt Coulson who scored a valiant 85 batting at No8.

Anirudh Singh (48) and Sarfraz Ahmed (42) were Skelmanthorpe’s main run-getters, despite a five-wicket haul from Jake Thorne.

James Sykes scored a half-century as Golcar shared the points with Clayton West, who were 15 short of victory with three wickets remaining when rain brought a halt, Mark Firth scoring 60 for the home side.

Shepley had a good win at Elland, where there were half-centuries for SP Singh (57) and Tim Rees (51), while Tom Denton made an unbeaten 29 in the 168-5 total.

Romain Grenville then took five for 27 as Elland were shot out for 119, 44 of those coming from the bat of bowler Craig Fletcher, batting at No9.

Mel Whittle struck six times as Slaithwaite were bowled out for 86, before Danny Anchor’s 42 not out steered Micklehurst to a nine-wicket win.

In the Conferences, Shelley suffered a real shock in the clash with Kexborough who continue to set the pace in the Frank Platt section.

Ben Potter (five for 19) and Jordan Geldart (three for 12) ripped the home side apart as the Westerley Laners crashed to 76 all out.

Adam Wiles then hit five fours in an unbeaten 36 as Kexborough won at a canter by nine wickets.

Michael Senior powered Kirkheaton to a massive 318-6 total, the former Town and Halifax footballer hammering a magnificent 140, well supported by Jason Dawson (64) against Linthwaite.

Scott Marsh replied wtih 85 and Tony Mulhall 52, but once they fell so did the visitors’ reply and they were dismissed for 194, Mohammed Taj taking five for 25.

Lesroy Irish was another five-wicket performer as Lascelles Hall were sent back for 94, Ranga Godage scoring 45 of those, before knocking them off for the loss of three wickets.

Almondbury leapfrogged Shelley after edging out point-less Armitage Bridge by two wickets.

Kala Khan grabbed six wickets for the Fernsiders, one of them top-scorer Danny Moorhouse, who took advantage of half-a-dozen chances to register 50.

Marsden moved up to second in the Cedar Court after their eight-wicket win over Hall Bower, Paul Hamer (38) and Nicky Clee (29) leading the Hemplow side home.

Thongsbridge came a distant second to Rastrick, as Ateeq Rehman grabbed six for 14 from 17 overs and Elliott Lawrie four for 46 to dismiss the Miry Lane men for just 60. Chris Dennison then scored an unbeaten 31 not out for the Round Hill visitors.

Rob Hions hit 43 for Paddock, but with only Faisal Siddiq (27) for company, the home side were bowled out for 92 by Lepton’s Mumtaz Ali (four for 22) and Dale Winterbottom (four for 23).

Highlanders’ batsmen shared the runs out as they went on to win by five wickets.