PREMIERSHIP Two leaders Broad Oak and Honley gained ground on their Drakes League rivals by claiming rain-evading victories.
Oliver Taylor proved a key figure for Broad Oak, taking three wickets as home side Thongsbridge were bowled out for 110, and then hitting 42 in partnership with Richard Metcalfe 30no to lead the Oak to a six-wicket win by 6.20pm.
Honley finished far later after half-centuries from Simon England (50) and Zahid Ahmed (56) steered their side to 258-9 against Skelmanthorpe, whose reply fizzled out, but still used up all 50 overs, making 103-7.
Chris Payne fell two short of his century after putting on 150 for the first wicket with John Hey (48) for Slaithwaite before nine wickets fell for 41.
Elland's Adam Steers replied with a half-century but rain halted the game with the score at 97-4.
Shelley's batsmen all enjoyed some form at Barkisland where there were half-centuries for David Greaves and Jonathan Owen in a 270-6 tally.
Jamie Colman replied with an unbeaten 71 out of 115-5 when play ended early.
Ashley Brothers hit 117 and featured in a stand of 171 for the second wicket with Ian Parry (60no) as Shepley posted a 231-2 score at Meltham, who in turn shuttered to 37-6 (Stuart Greaves taking three for two) before rain saved the hosts from further punishment.
Emley Clarence hit the top of the Frank Platt Conference but were less-than convincing in eking out a two-wicket win over Hall Bower, who had been shot out for 86, Alex Moors taking four for 17.
Simon Lewis scored 35 in reply as Clarence struggled against the veteran attack of Ray Bottomley (5-20) and the recently transferred Peter Dibb (2-29) who has returned to the Bower again.
Rastrick moved second after a 100-run stand for the sixth wicket between Julian Marsh (69) who hit 10 fours and Matthew Essex (64) with six fours and three sixes against Armitage Bridge.
Andy Hill made 55 in reply, while Mark Williamson (36no) and Brett Lodge (22no) put on an unbroken 57 for the ninth wicket, but ran out of overs at 173-8.
Gareth Crowther was another player to enjoy a good day all round as he steered Golcar into a five-point lead in the Cedar Court.
Along with Mick Brook (4-32) Crowther (4-33) helped knock Almondbury over for 113 and then scored 42, while Sam Gill (45no) in a seven-wicket win.
There was a century for Mohammed Ihsan at Linthwaite as they carved out a seven-wicket win over Paddock, but Asif Iqbal's 85 for Primrose Hill proved in vain over Kirkheaton as did Carl Zaffino's 73no for Marsden against Kirkburton.
Sam Atkinson (75no) and Paul Baxter (64) were the chief scorers in Lepton's 99-run win at Lascelles Hall.
