DRAKES League newcomers Cumberworth claimed their first win since moving from the Arrow Central League with an emphatic 198-run victory at Rastrick in the Cedar Court Conference.

Meanwhile in the top flight, Kirkburton grabbed a three-wicket win in the top-of-the-table clash at Delph & Dobcross, while Steve Whitwam chalked up his first ton of the summer to keep Golcar up with the early front-runners.

Cumberworth have had a tough start to their new life in the Drakes League, but showed their all-round potential at Round Hill, where they romped to a big win after skipper Chris Kilner had led the way with an unbeaten 72, well supported by James Senior (51), James Bower (44no) and Ashley Littlewood (39) as they powered their way to 234-5.

Richard Greaves then took centre stage with a six for 12 haul from 11 overs, as Rastrick were blown away for just 36, openers Robin Lambert (14) and Anil Singh (10) the only two in double figures before a procession of seven ducks!

Paddock also improved their lot with a four-wicket home win over Almondbury, who struggled to 143-8, with Mohammed Usman’s 37 the top score, although six of his teammates reached double figures without being able to take it on.

Ibrar Rafiq was the pick of Paddock’s bowlers with four for 62, while Timmy Shah made an unbeaten 58 in the winning reply.

In the Division’s other top encounter, Linthwaite beat Kirkheaton by five wickets, Mohammed Ihsan (86) spearheading the run chase along with Sachin Shoor (71) after the visitors had made 196-8, Kamran Saleem top-scoring with 43 and Michael Senior 38.

One of the big games in the Premiership was at Delph & Dobcross where unbeaten Kirkburton were the visitors, for whom Tom Burkinshaw made his mark with a five for 79 return as the home side were held to 184-9 in a match reduced to 42 overs.

Arron Lilley was again Delph’s top scorer with 38, and he also picked up a couple of wickets in Burton’s innings, which looked in trouble early on after losing four cheap wickets.

However, Greg Buckley (50) steadied the wobble before Oliver Davidson (27) and Craig Fletcher (43 not out) completed a four-wicket victory.

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Golcar moved up to second with a seven-wicket win over Hall Bower who had set a testing 197-run target at Swallow Lane, thanks to Ibrar Latif (58), Shabir Rashid (39) and Scott Dyson (31), Will Hinchliffe returning five for 63.

James Howson (23) and Steve Whitwam gave Golcar a solid start, before the skipper found a useful ally in Australian Andrew Chalkley (31).

His opposite number Wayne Swift took a couple of wickets but no-one troubled Whitwam, who went on to finish with a match-winning 110 not out.

Niall Lockley hit 73 for Elland as they posted a 173-7 total at Hoylandswaine, but out-of-favour Yorkshire opener Joe Sayers replied with 72, with support from Alex Morris (43no) and Amir Rashid (40no) in a six-wicket victory.

After last week’s ton, Honley’s Simon Kelly followed up with 81 as Honley gained a two-wicket win at Shelley, who had set a 169-6 total, thanks to a half-century from Peter Drysdale.

Slaithwaite ran Shepley very close at Marsh Lane in a game reduced to 25-overs-a-side – and but for a run out may well have gone on to win.

Shepley’s powerful batting line-up for once struggled a bit, and it needed a fine unbeaten 61 from one of their lower profile players Huw Ellis to provide their heroics with an unbeaten 61, while Liam Wiles made 42 to propel them to a substantial 189-6 total.

Slaithwaite responded in brilliant fashion however, with Bjorn Taylor making 84 before he was run out, and although Adam Turner made 31, the visitors came up eight short of what would have been a stunning win, with SP Singh taking four for 41.

Another one of the Division’s ‘lesser lights’ Clayton West pushed Scholes all the way, after the Chapelgaters had made 145-6 in an innings reduced to 35 overs, Tom Brook’s 47 the pick of the bunch.

David Swann made 46 in response and Stuart Rank 31, but Clayton’s innings then tailed away with Andy Alsop taking four for 45.

Two matches failed to start in the Championship, at Broad Oak and at Meltham, but division leaders Thongsbridge went down to derby rivals Holmfirth, for whom New Zealander Mitchell Santner had a good all-round game with three for 24 and a winning knock of 41 as Holmfirth eased home by six wickets.

Barkisland held on to beat Emley Clarence after captain Darren Robinson had made 89 and spinner Matt Steers starred with the bat with an unbeaten 85, despite Mirza Mobeen bagging eight for 73 in the visitors’ 202-9 total.

Emley skipper Richard Haynes made 63, but Gary Colman’s four wickets proved vital.