SPAGHETTI was vying with sandwiches for a spot on the tea menu at Broad Oak as two Italian internationals turned out for the Colne Valley club against Shepley.

Alessandro Bonora and countryman Gabriel Passaretta had been signed from Lazio, a division of the famous football club from Rome.

Both were among the Italian squad due to tour Scotland later in the Summer, and had taken the chance to head for the UK early in order to gain some club experience in the leagues.

Broad Oak were quick to offer them berths, hoping Passaretta, the Italian Under 19 skipper as well as a full international, and Bonora, who had played for Western Province Seconds in South Africa, would bolster their batting.

While Bonora made 17, rain ruined the debut of Passaretta, who had just come to the wicket when the match was halted with his side on 111-6 in response to the visitors’ 208-6.

Drakes League leaders Delph & Dobcross were also frustrated by the weather.

They had to make do with only two points as their home clash with Kirkburton was badly hit.

And closest rivals Slaithwaite were able to narrow the gap at the top to two points by beating Thongsbridge.

Kiwi Andy Hamilton was the hero for the Colne Valley club, who hadn’t won the title since 1959.

Chasing a win target of 172, Slaithwaite were struggling at 104-7 in the face of some direct bowling by West Indian quickie Lesroy Weekes.

But Hamilton held his nerve to steer Slaithwaite home with an unbeaten 77, finding useful support from lower-order duo James Taylor (37) and Richard Haslam (25).

Third-placed Scholes took the maximum six points at Hall Bower, where Chris Stockdale was the day’s sole centurion.

He warmed up before a Minor Counties outing for Cumberland against Staffordshire by firing 124 from 86 balls, the haul including nine sixes and 11 fours and helping Scholes make 248-8.

Simon Parkinson took five for 33 as Hall Bower were all out for 100.

Top-flight basement side Holmfirth were the only team still chasing a league victory after Paddock beat fellow Section B strugglers Dalton by six wickets.

Chris Williams made an unbeaten 54 as Paddock took all six points after dismissing Dalton for 140 in 44.2 overs.

Leaders Honley made short work of Lepton to keep their bid for a return to Section A on track.

A fine five-for-six return by Martin Green, whose seven overs featured five maidens, and Andy Woodhead’s four for 16 helped Honley skittle the league newcomers for just 48.

Having utilised only 29 overs to take care of Lepton, it took just 17 to clinch victory.

Second-placed Golcar were 10 points behind Honley after a 108-run victory at Armitage Bridge, where Richard Cook made 73.