Zain Ul Abdin and Aftab Ur Rahim snatched an astonishing victory from the jaws of defeat for Birkby Rose Hill at home to table toppers Delph. Slaithwaite assumed the Colne Valley bragging rights at home to Golcar and Denby were beaten by Armitage Bridge during a fascinating day's play in the Championship.
Birkby Rose Hill and Delph may have been two divisions apart last season but Delph were left reeling after Birkby somehow turned a certain defeat into a remarkable win. Lucas Selby (4-16) looked to have set up a routine win for Delph as Birkby Rose Hill were bowled out for just 77. The high-flying visitors then inexplicably crashed from 30-0 to 54ao in a Twilight Zone-esque second innings spell as Birkby asserted a grip of the game. Young left-arm off spinner Zain Ul Abdin nabbed 5-23 and Aftab Ur Rahim put in a beguiling spell with the ball to return 5-13 and demolish the title-hopefuls.
Slaithwaite’s 171-8 total was too much for neighbours Golcar who lost out in a compelling Colne Valley contest. Slaithwaite’s Blair McKenzie’s 62 anchored his side’s innings to which Jay Cyrus took 3-27 for Golcar. However they then subsided to 35-6 in the second innings with Alex Walker (4-40) and Janaid Tanwir (3-17) in fine form for the home side, in front of a healthy crowd at Hill Top. Golcar laboured to 108ao in reply.
Denby’s positive start to the season was stymied by Armitage Bridge. Steven Cawood squandered a half-century on 46 however Omar Shaffique (50no) didn’t during Bridge’s 204-6. Sanoj Wijentunge collected 4-47 and then top scored with 26 in Denby’s 97ao reply. Prolific all-rounder Jaycob Curtling claimed a winning contribution of 5-21 for the hosts.
Sydney Thunder batsman Blake MacDonald hammered 117 from 81 balls for Shelley who took care of Lascelles Hall with a decisive victory. Opener Harvey Jones had made 48 in Shelley’s 249-7 before stalwart Martin Sykes claimed 5-21 as Hall were sent home for 101ao.
Elsewhere, at Back Lane, bottom side Holmfirth were dismissed for 88 in pursuit of Clayton West’s 215ao. Ashley Thompson scored 67 as Clayton West recovered from 57-5. Charlie Manby (3-14) finished the job for the home side. Meanwhile Meltham beat Rastrick with ease by bowling them out for 118 and replying with 119-3. Former Bradford City goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy collected 3-20 and Khuram Sajjad (45no) completed Meltham’s triumph.
