Adnan Ghani’s flamboyant display with the bat thrust Delph & Dobcross to their second league victory to top the early table along with Denby who eased past Holmfirth. Golcar pinched a nailbiter at Armitage Bridge and Birkby Rose Hill registered their first ever Championship victory in the best of the Championship matches.
Nayyar Abbas and Adnan Ghani (above) were key men for Delph as they swept aside Clayton West to claim their second consecutive victory. Ghani clattered 86 from 66 balls as Delph set a substantial 275-9. Left-arm leg spinner Nayyar Abbas sent the home side into a tizz leaving them at 28-8 before they restored some pride by reaching 83ao.
Rizwan Malik claimed 5-37 as Holmfirth were dismissed for 114 during their home match with Denby. Openers Saqib Matlub (47) and Mo Khuzaifa (44) made sure of the win as the visitors replied with 115-3. At Birkby, Chaurdry Ul-Haq carved out a half-century to help Birkby Rose Hill secure their first victory following promotion last season at home to Lascelles Hall. Their 140ao turned out to be enough as Hall were scuttled on 115ao with Muhammad Munsaf and Khalil Khan sharing six wickets between them.
Slaithwaite’s Alex Walker (above) took four wickets on his return from a one-season stint at Scholes to down Rastrick. ‘Slawit’ were bowled out for 123 but Walker’s exploits hobbled the visitors' response who finished short. Golcar sailed close to their second tied match in two matches but managed to bag their first win of the campaign at Armitage Bridge. The home team were dismissed for 120 in an innings that Steve Whitwam dominated with the ball (5-40). The experienced all-rounder added 25 but James North’s brilliantly composed half-century proved vital as Golcar successfully chased a revised 117 target with one wicket remaining. Jaycob Curtling took 5-35 in vain for Bridge.
Shelley’s chance of a first victory was scotched by the weather at home to Meltham. They raced to 150-2 after only half the innings thanks to George Bardon’s rapid 90no but rain curtailed the game with no further play possible.
