THERE was only one match which beat the weather in Sunday’s Premiership double-header – but it was a very significant one.
That game was at Lidgett Lane, where the host club Skelmanthorpe, the only team in the League capable of wrecking Scholes’ title run-in, were humbled by relegation-threatened Clayton West.
With the League-leaders’ home game against Golcar having been abandoned at 4pm, and Skelmanthorpe having bowled Clayton out for 133, it looks odds-on that Adam Dollive’s side would close the gap on Scholes at the top.
James Crossland had continued his impressive season with the ball, taking four for 37 from 17 overs, while Craig Glover claimed three for 37 from 15 with only Mohammed Ahzam (53) offering much for Clayton.
And with Sarfraz Ahmed and Qaiser Rashid opening the innings and moving to 31 without trouble, there was no indication of what was to follow.
Ahmed was then snapped up by wicketkeeper Stuart Rank (one of four taken by the experienced gloveman) for 15, Rashid was bowled by Ahzam for 18, and Max Joice was run out, and suddenly Skelmanthorpe fell apart with six players falling for ‘ducks’ and they skittled for 55 – all 10 wickets tumbling for 24!
Ahzam finished with figures of five for 29 from 7.3 overs, while Johnny Butterfield took four for 26 from seven.
It was a defeat which enabled Scholes to stretch their lead to 11 points, and they now meet Skelmanthorpe next Saturday at Chapelgate when victory for the Holme Valley side will see them crowned as champions.
Lee Baxter bagged is first ton of the season, finishing unbeaten on 111 after a 168-run opening stand with Greg Finn (70) for Elland before rain halted Barkisland’s reply on 42-2.
Broad Oak came closest to another finish are reducing Holmfirth to 74-9, chasing 121 for victory, Ben DeAraugo and Graeme Hurlbatt claiming four wickets apiece.
Earlier Tom Craddock had hoisted his season’s tally to 62 wickets, taking six for 49, with only James Howson’s 41 making an impact for the Oak.
Tom Denton and Sam Haigh both hit 81 (the latter unbeaten) in a 146-run opening stand for Shepley who declared at 37 overs, standing on 213-1 when rain struck Micklehurst, while Slaithwaite were unable to start their reply at Honley, who had been dismissed for 195, Matthew Wood top-scoring with 66.
Delph were shot out for 95 by lowly Meltham, with Jake Thorne and Darren Hinchliffe each claiming five apiece, only for their chance of victory snatched away by the weather, while Iqbal Khan was unbeaten on 91 when Scholes’ innings was halted against Golcar.
