A dry forecast across the region was harshly upturned when barely a single match reached a conclusion with matches abandoned at the halfway point in most cases. Several fixtures were tantalisingly set up, and some were left bemoaning the elements as play quickly turned to frustration, particularly following the previous matchday’s virtual wash-out.
Group Orange
League leaders Shepley, who have brushed aside most opponents in a rampant campaign so far, found life trickier away at Moorlands. Max Joice (39no) took to a shepherding role after in-form Moorlands all-rounder Siraj Sajid (3-25, main image) played his part in dismantling the visitors with another captivating performance. Two overs remained of the first innings before the interruption solidified on 126-6, leaving questions unanswered of Shepley’s means to defend their lean total.
Jake Finch was one of two Barkisland frontline bowlers making life hard for visiting Delph & Dobcross. He took three wickets before a rainy end put paid to a positive result.
Barkisland also had to settle for a share of the points after visiting Delph & Dobcross, disturbed by four player changes, battled hard. Xander Selby (26), Delph’s youngest ever captain, and Jack Hague (22) intelligently rebuilt their side’s innings after bright bowling by Barkisland openers Jamie Sykes (4-20) and Jake Finch (3-20) left them in a mess at 43-4. Once the two teenagers put together their 46-run partnership, others contributed further as Delph saw out the 30 overs for 122-8. The second innings was just 12 balls old before heavy mizzle rolled in with Barkisland reaching 5-0.
Thongsbridge felt declaring was their best opportunity to sneak a quick victory at home to Broad Oak as they hit the high notes in a batting performance boosted by useful contributions by all batsmen. A Ben Raven-Hill half-century (54) and skipper Alex Kemp’s 41no were the highlights as all six batsmen hit double figures in Thongsbridge’s 220-4. Kemp then set a declaration with 20 balls left of the innings, though it was to no avail as that was the last of the action.
Bradley Birkhead (46) led from the front for Scholes away at Honley but they only saw 22 overs play at Far End Lane. Eddie Kaye (2-8) continued his impressive elevation from Honley’s 2XI with the ball. Scholes reached 102-4 before the weather intervened.
Armitage Bridge bowler Jack Hinchliffe joined forces with his captain as Golcar struggled for momentum in their abandoned match.
Jack Hinchliffe (3-22) and Jaycub Curtling (3-30) shared six wickets of the eight that fell in Golcar’s 127-8 first innings total. Jack McNamara (41) top scored for the visitors as they found the going tough but it remains to be seen whether that would’ve been enough for their third-victory of the season.
Group Yellow
Mirfield Parish Cavaliers may feel the most aggrieved after having the chance to put behind them a wretched run of form snatched from their grasp by the rain. Parish bowlers laid siege at Lascelles Hall, bowling them out for 62. Cruelly, the weather denied them the opportunity of a quick chase.
Kaleel Ahmed (4-25) had the bit between his teeth for Thurstonland away at Clayton West. Opening batsman Andrew Bell (32) was one of the few Clayton West players to excel in a fairly dour first innings score of 134-8 before the match was curtailed.
Meltham also found runs hard to come by away at Kirkburton as they worked up a modest total of 128-4 at Riley Lane. Three overs of the first innings remained when the match was interrupted.
No play was possible at either Slaithwaite v Elland or Shelley v Marsden.
Group Red
Following his triple-century a fortnight earlier, Hoylandswaine’s Chris Holliday was once again in amongst the runs with another quickfire ton at Almondbury Wesleyans, which ultimately counted for nothing when the afternoon’s showers reached them. Holliday (100) hit his precise ton off 59 balls in an innings that featured 4 fours and 11 sixes. There were still just short of 11 overs left of the innings at the break for rain which ended the match shortly after on 152-2.
Holmfirth were left cursing an opportunity to make it back-to-back wins after they had Denby Dale in a tight spot at home on 76-9. Gly Brown (3-2) led the way as he claimed his tenth wicket of the season but that was as far as things got for his team as they were forced into a share of the spoils.
Lepton v Emley Clarence and Skelmanthorpe v Rastrick were both washed out without a ball bowled.
Group Green
15-year-old Callum Sykes-Quarmby (4-21) made Birkby Rose Hill toil but Delph & Dobcross couldn’t convert that energy into a win. Visiting Birkby’s early progress was checked by the young bowler, supported by Gary Pemberton (3-9). The visitors' mediocre 157-9 total looked in for a quick overhauling when Delph & Dobcross 2XI raced to 45-3 after only five overs, however any further play wasn’t possible. Second-placed Upperthong stole a march on Delph, cutting their lead to two points ahead of a tantalising face-off next week after Barkisland 2XI were unable to raise a team and therefore forfeiting their match.
Martin Green was the glue keeping Honley 2XI together in their match away at Mirfield. The erstwhile, evergreen stalwart made an unbeaten 23 in Honley’s 88-5 which ended with six overs of the first innings left. In the only other match that saw play, Hall Bower laboured to 136-6 at home to Cumberworth United with Alex Crane (61) hitting an impressive half-century.
Linthwaite v Kirkheaton was called off.
