HONLEY won their league first match of the season to lift spirits and boost their chances of survival in the Drakes Premiership.

While fellow strugglers Shelley and Elland both lost in a rain-hit programme, Simon Kelly’s side prevailed in a reduced-overs clash at home to Cawthorne.

Honley totalled 136-4 and it proved eight too many for the visitors, who needed 68 from 12 overs with seven wickets in hand when Ben Simpson was caught for 23.

Cawthorne reduced the deficit to 40 with five overs left and 25 off the last two overs, leg-spinner Tom Craddock then bowling the last over with the visitors needing 17 for the six points with four wickets left.

He conceded only nine, with Chris Matthewman finishing on 46 not out, and Honley were able to celebrate.

Tommy Woodhead took three for 29 and Aussie Andrew Padbury three outfield catches to help their side to victory, while Cawthorne picked up two points.

While there was no play for leaders Delph at Golcar, Hoylandswaine closed the gap at the top by taking six points at Kirkburton.

Kirkburton totalled 169-7 with Andy Smith getting a run-a-ball 50 in 79 minutes, including seven fours and two sixes.

He was dismissed eight balls later, adding only one to his score.

Hoylandswaine reached a seven-wicket victory with the help of 69 from Gharib Nawaz, who hit 50 in 58 balls (74 minutes) including six fours and two sixes. He hit three more boundaries before he was out, with Swaine well on the road to victory.

Shepley chased down Shelley’s total of 103-8 at Marsh Lane thanks to 35 not out frm Shahban Raheem and 34 not out from Oli Davidson, racing to a seven-wicket in in 16.4 overs.

Davidson had earlier taken three for 18 in seven overs, with Jamal Nasir and skipper Danny Glover taking two wickets apiece, while Louis Sykes top scored for Shelley with 24 in their 33 overs.

At Skelmanthorpe, the home side’s 179 proved too many for Elland, who responded with 123, while Broad Oak won on the rain rul at Armitage Bridge, hitting 118-3 in reply to 139-4.

There was no play at Barkisland, where Scholes were the visitors.

Jedi Sports Championship leaders Rastrick won on the rain rule at Kirkheaton after putting up 183-6.

Brad Birkhead hit 52 and Oliver Pearson 52 not out in the Rastrick tally, while Kirkheaton were held at 129-8 in reply.

In the Cedar Court Conference, leaders Mirfield Parish Cavaliers won on the rain rule at home to Emley.

Parish totalled 144 and bottom club Emley were held at 98-5 in reply. Almondbury Wes, in second, were rained off.