KIRKBURTON are now leading the chase to catch Drakes Premiership front-runners Shepley.

On a day when the league’s batsmen had their best day so far, Andrew Smith’s 103 helped Burton take six points at Shelley while previously second-placed Golcar went down by two wickets at improving Honley.

Smith was backed up by Jonny Butterfield (60) and Iqbal Khan (59) as they totalled 277-5 at Westerley Lane.

Shelley skipper Sam Scott took three for 75 and then led the reply with 53, but Yorkshire’s Gurman Randhawa took six for 55 and, backed up by Matt Garrety’s three for 13 Shelley were dismissed for 145.

At Holmfirth, Shepley stayed out in front as skipper Danny Glover took six for 45 to limit the home side to a total of 103.

Shepley then won by nine wickets with Greg Wood, Tom Denton and Dan Wood all in the 30s.

Honley moved up the table as the evergreen Ritchie Howarth took his tally for the season to 40 wickets in their win over Golcar with three for 39.

Harlon Haye had five for 45 as the visitors were sent back for 126, but Danny Rhodes then took four for 48 as Honley were made to work hard for their win, Danny Howard guiding them past the winning post with an unbeaten 26.

Faisal Butt was the hero for Delph & Dobcross as they chased down 267-5 at Barkisland.

Butt finished with an unbeaten 133 and Graeme Simpson 50 not out as Delph finished on 270-3 in reply after Arron Lilley had hit 46.

Earlier, Lorenzo Ingram’s fine unbeaten 124 added to James Summerscales’ 90 had looked like it had put Barkisland in a strong position.

Greg Finn hit 92, Jack Hendy 62 and Rahul Bakshi 29 as Elland posted a winning 247-4 at Skelmanthorpe.

Hendy then took four for 52 as the home side were held at 188-7 with Haroon Rashid hitting 60.

Aussie Michael Cranmer did the damaged for Hoylandswaine as Scholes were routed for just 62 at Chapelgate.

Cranmer returned figures of six for 23 and, backed up by Bandula Don’s three for 26 the home side never got a partnership going.

Amar Rashid finished unbeaten on 40 as the champions scored an eight-wicket win.

Marsden remain anchored despite bowling out Hall Bower for 216 – Chris Kilner taking seven for 75.

Yogesh Golwalkar replied with six for 52, however, and Michael Salerno four for 61 as Marsden were bowled out for 152.

With no play in the Frank Platt Championship ahead of yesterday’s Oddfellows Cup programme, Moorlands continued to power along at the top of the Cedar Court Conference.

Michael Rounding hit an excellent 140 as they totalled 298-9 at Denby.

Matt Smith replied with 58 and Tony Wilkinson 41, but five for 68 from Andrew Walker – who had earlier hit 58 – meant Denby were all out for 185, Stephen Lane taking three for 37.

Armitage Bridge and Lascelles Hall remain locked in pursuit after scoring wins over Emley and Almondbury respectively.

Armitage Bridge totalled 242-9 at the Welfare Ground thanks to Andy Gledhill’s 95 and it was too much for the home side as Sam Atkinson took three for 16 and Jordan Williamson three for 54.

Almondbury posted 271 at the Hall, but John Booth’s splendid 135 was enough to guide the home side to a three-wicket win.