CHAMPIONS Honley can now set teir sights on creating Drakes League history.

Robert Moore’s talented side clinched a hat trick of Byrom Shield titles with a crushing nine-wicket victory at Emley and will celebrate in style when they entertain Meltham at Far End Lane in Saturday’s final Premiership fixture of the season.

Honley’s hat trick matches the feats of Meltham (1996-98), Elland (1985-87 and 1945-47) and Holmfirth (1975-77 and 69-71) in recording three successive championships.

But no club has ever taken the Huddersfield League title four times on the trot, so Honley – who came up as Section B champions only seven years ago – can aim to rewrite the record books.

With Ritchie Howarth and Harlon Haye leading the attack they will certainly be in with a shout.

Having lost in the finals of the Romida Sykes Cup and Examiner Twenty/20 Trophy, they were in no mood to slip up again as destiny beckoned at the Welfare Ground against an Emley side without former Yorkshire batsman Matthew Wood and all-rounder Bilal Khilji.

Howarth took his tally for the season to 67 wickets with five for 19 from 13 overs and Haye weighed in with four for 21 from 11 – he now has 66 wickets to his name – as Emley were dismissed for just 47 (Ken Taylor the only man in double figures with 11no).

Moore (27) opened the batting with Danny Howard (15no) and they guided Honley to within four of victory before the skipper fell to Jon Lee, Vishal Bhatia going in to finish the job.

At the bottom, who will join Scholes and Hall Bower in the Conferences next season is between Micklehurst (52 points) and Slaithwaite (49).

Micklehurst lost by 10 wickets at Shelley and will need a big improvement in their final home fixture against Emley, but at least their fate is in their own hands.

Slaithwaite lost by 118 runs at Meltham and their hopes of survival now rest on beating Hall Bower and hoping Micklehurst slip up.

Clayton West booked a Conference play-off final spot against Broad Oak with their victory over already-promoted Barkisland.

Meanwhile, there is an unprecedented finish to the Second XI Frank Platt Conference II season as table-topping Emley Clarence have had the award of the trophy and individual medals withheld pending a disciplinary investigation.

Emley have been reported by the umpires for their behaviour and language during their six-point victory at Kirkheaton on September 1 and, under Rule L11d, the League have the power to deduct points in such circumstances.

A disciplinary sub-committee will now meet on Wednesday week, September 19, to determine what will happen and, as a result, the second XI Grand Play-off Final has been put back from this coming Sunday to the following Saturday, September 22, with stumps pitched at noon.

A League statement issued today read: “The award of the championship trophy and individual medals to the team finishing top of the Frank Platt Conference II has been held in abeyance awaiting the outcome of the disciplinary sub-committee meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 19.

“The hearing involves the Emley Clarence club and two of its players and, other rules apart, if any case is proven it will be subject to rule L11d. As a result of this action, the second XI Grand Play-off Final scheduled for Sunday, September 16, is postponed to Saturday, September 22.

“No other comment will be made until after the disciplinary hearing.”

While Emley are at the focus of the investigation, the outcome will also be of massive interest to Primrose Hill and Kirkburton second XIs.

Should the League decide to take no action against Emley then they will be champions and the play-off will be between Kirkburton and Primrose Hill.

But if a case is proven against Emley then there is the possibility of points being deducted and the whole situation might change.

Should they lose the six points they won against Kirkheaton, for instance, then Primrose Hill would be champions and the play-off would be between Kirkburton (who are already through as runners up in the Cedar Court Conference II) and Emley.

Should Emley be deducted 12 or more points, then Kirkburton would face Rastrick in the play-off showpiece.