What a difference a week makes for Delph & Dobcross. Six days after a humbling Sykes Cup exit, Stevel Rodney fired them to a remarkable away win at Premiership title holders Moorlands. Leaders Scholes were scuppered by an inspired Skelmanthorpe show at Chapelgate to indicate a wide open title race. Hoylandswaine and Almondbury Wesleyan were made to dig deep for their victories, whilst Honley timed their run chase to perfection at home to Golcar. More gloom descended on Barkisland who slumped to their third straight loss as they worryingly subsided away at Kirkburton.
Moorlands suffered a shock home defeat thanks to a stellar all-round performance from Delph’s Stevel Rodney (above). Montserrat all-rounder Rodney's 47 runs and a crucial 25 from youngster Isaac Davis propelled Delph to 160ao. Former Bikby spinner Zain Ul Abdin cleaned up the tail with a devastating 4-11 bowling spell. However, Moorlands found themselves in early trouble, slumping to 49-4. Despite a valiant fightback led by captain Eddie Walmsley's unbeaten 45, they fell short by five runs. A stunning run-out by Rodney in the penultimate over proved to be the turning point, with Nathan Jones hoovering up the final wicket to seal the win for Delph. The second loss of the season already eclipses Moorlands’ singular loss during a memorable title campaign last year.
Muhammad Rizvi's unbeaten 58 (above) anchored Skelmanthorpe's first innings total of 193-7, denting Premiership leaders Scholes’ dominance and inflicting a first league loss. While Scholes' Ben Tighe impressed with a six-wicket haul, their batting faltered dramatically in reply. Former Shelley batsman George Bardon's half-century offered some hope, but wickets fell consistently. Stand-in skipper Prayesh Kumar Singh and Sam Tyas cashed in with four wickets each, dismissing Scholes for 141 and handing Skelmanthorpe a victory which suggests the title race is wide open.
Hoylandswaine closed the gap on league leaders Scholes to four points after a hard-fought win against Shepley. The home side's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a mediocre 127, with opening batsman Connor Dale (above) top-scoring with 41. Northants County bowler Mike Finan ripped through the Shepley batting, claiming five wickets for just 30 runs. Although Hoylandswaine found themselves compromised at 87-6, a calm 43no by Kamran Ghulam guided them to victory. Danny Glover and Jack Mulhall both chipped in with three wickets as Hoylandswaine secured a 128-7 win.
Almondbury Wesleyans edged past Broad Oak in a tense encounter. Dom Finn's 66 runs formed the backbone of Oak's 174-9 total. Wesleyans' professional bowler Pragam Sharma countered with three wickets for 37 runs. Despite a solid 45 from opener Nathan Kenworthy, the visitors wobbled after spinner Dan Taylor's introduction, claiming four wickets for 56 runs. However, a stoic 49 from captain Bryn Jenkins (above) and a composed 15 from Tom Battams took Wesleyans over the line with two wickets remaining.
Honley secured an engrossing victory in a well-paced chase at home to Golcar. Steve Whitwam (50) and Jacob Mulhall (79) laid the foundation for Golcar's 205-6 total, but they were unable to capitalise late in the innings. Honley kept in touch with fifties from Simon Kelly (40) and Timmy Taylor (59). Captain Eddie Wilson's anchoring 54 not out (above), during a crucial 59-run partnership with Darcy Munro (24 not out), steered Honley to victory on 209-5 with seven balls to spare.
Barkisland remained winless at the bottom of the table after a disappointing defeat at Kirkburton. The home side were restricted to 211 runs, with Max Didgiunaitis and Cameron Van Rensburg sharing six wickets. Contrasting fifties from Roscoe Tahttil (33 balls) and Jonny Butterfield (101 balls) highlighted the Kirkburton innings, finished by a useful contribution by Aaron Moore (above). A disastrous spell inflicted by Tom Burkinshaw (5-27) saw Barkisland collapse from a promising 55-1 to a woeful 65-9. Despite some vain resistance from Didgiunaitis (23), Barkisland were dismissed well short on 95.
