HONLEY out, holders Skelmanthorpe on the ropes, two concessions and another Central League side upset all made for a fascinating opening round of the Romida Sykes Cup.

With heavy rain forcing all Sunday’s scheduled ties to be started yesterday, there was plenty of drama across town.

Newly-promoted Barkisland caused one of them by ousting Honley, who for the past three years have featured in the final (winning two).

Home skipper Paul Winrow scored the day’s only century, but was helped along the way by Tinashe Panyangara (55), James Taylor (32no) and Love Ablish (31no) as Barkisland rattled up 269-5.

Indian paceman Ablish then claimed four for 39 as Honley were always behind their target, despite 79 from Martin Green and an unbeaten 49 from their captain Rob Moore, and were finally dismissed for 193.

An even bigger shock is in the offing at Slaithwaite, where the Hill Top side from the Frank Platt Conference are close to pulling off a massive shock in a game which is set to resume tonight at 6.30pm.

Because they had so many players working (a not uncommon call around the League yesterday) Slaithwaite plumped for a 6.30pm start against mighty Skelmanthorpe, and when in-form bowler Mark Mitchell dismissed Sarfraz Ahmed and Kana Vaghela knocked over his countryman Amit Dani, the Cup holders were in early trouble.

But it was keen fisherman Chris Kilner who really reeled Skelmanthorpe in with a tremendous display of bowling, taking five for 13 to send them packing for just 71. Slaithwaite only faced four overs before the close making 10 without loss and need 62 more tonight.

Linthwaite became the 45th victim of non-League opposition when they were bundled out by Hoylandswaine, the second year in succession that the Barnsley Central League club have done for Drakes League opponents.

Twelve months ago it was Lascelles Hall who bit the dust when Danny Mulhall did the damage, this time it was Darren Lockwood, newly-recruited Shelley, who proved the chief destroyer along with Scott Marsh.

Saifur Rehman hit 72 for Linthwaite, but with Lockwood taking four for 45, the Colne Valley side were dismissed for 160.

Lockwood then took centre stage with the bat, making an unbeaten 69, while Marsh scored 74 as Hoylandswaine raced to an eight-wicket victory in only 21 overs.

Lascelles Hall got over the first hurdle this year, but it was a close call against struggling Emley Clarence, who came up nine short of victory.

The Hall were indebted (and not for the first time) to wicketkeeper Shaun Woodhams, whose unbeaten 49 gave them something to bowl and despite Emley skipper Tim Sykes making 68 and Pat Moors 39, the rest folded in single figures.

Meltham were in similar circumstances, after a solid opening stand of 88 between Ainsley Swallow and Kiwi opener Leigh Morgan (45).

After Morgan fell to Holmfirth skipper Carl Jump, it was a procession, the last seven batsmen making a combined total of three runs, as Swallow was left high and dry on 85 not out.

Javed Iqbal junior made 52 in reply, while Jump added 32, but there the resistance ended as Will Hinchliffe returned figures of five for 54 to send Meltham through.

Dale Winterbottom was another five-wicket performer as he helped knock Marsden over for 84 before Jonny Whittle scored an unbeaten 48 to steer Kirkheaton home, while 10-man Hall Bower beat eight-man Almondbury, Tom Cliffe’s unbeaten 42 leading the way.

Armitage Bridge were shot out for 52 by Golcar, who lost three in knocking them off, while Delph & Dobcross lost four wickets before overhauling Paddock’s 114 all out.

Broad Oak gained revenge on Scholes after losing heavily in the League on Saturday, this time winning by 114, while Micklehurst beat Shelley comfortably by six wickets

Elland and Thongsbridge were handed their ties by opponents unable to raise a side.