The Hopkinson Trophy and Schweppes Cup found their new owners this season in the form of Mirfield 1XI and Shelley 2XI. Mirfield’s searing end of season form in the final six matches saw them take 30 points out of a possible 36 to push Linthwaite in a spot for promotion, eventually finishing fourth in the Conference. This run of matches included a high-scoring tie at Emley Clarence with both teams finishing on 255. Mirfield who were fielding and Emley requiring 18 to win, Emley’s Usman Shakir (72 not out) had blasted 17 runs from the first four balls of the final over before Naseer Saudagar (2-62) trapped last man Kyle Malin LBW on the penultimate ball.
Back to back defeats in mid-July were soon forgotten about as Shelley 2XI went on a relentless charge in Alliance Three to win promotion two seasons after finishing as champions of Conference Three. Shelley won all final six matches for a maximum points haul with every victory coming batting second after bowling the opposition out on each occasion. Daniel Steers’ consistency was key to his side’s potency with the ball, collecting 14 wickets in the final run in.
Marsden lifted the Conference title ahead of Hoylandswaine 2XI by 15 points. A chastening defeat when they were bowled out for just 28 against the runners-up was soon forgotten about by finishing the season with a handsome victory over already-promoted Linthwaite. Ben Lowden’s capture from Premiership Broad Oak proved to be a shrewd move to lead Marsden’s batting output with 453 runs. He collected 48 wickets to finish second behind overseas man Parth Naik with 62 scalps.
Elland’s turmoil in the Conference was highlighted by their inability to field any senior teams as the season drew to a close. An off-season meeting has been fixed by the league to assist Elland for next season.
In the Alliance, Skelmanthorpe’s self-branded ‘Shat Bangers’, the name coined for their second team emerged as champions. Four wins from the final six matches was enough to take the crown, a position they held since July with a surprise defeat at home to Delph & Dobcross 2XI the only blot on their copybook. Dan Barber finished well with the ball - taking 5-29 against Almondbury on a July 29th fixture was his highlight.
Despite losing their final match at home to Thongsbridge 2XI, Denby Dale 1XI joined them with promotion to the Conference. Sadly for Golcar, a humbling capitulation where they were bowled out for only 35 at Delph & Dobcross confirmed their position in the only relegation spot with Honley and Barkisland able to escape trouble.
Moorlands were crowned title winners in Alliance Two some weeks ago, completing the season with a 26 point cushion ahead of Almondbury Wesleyans who join them next season. Cartworth Moor 1XI was the only defeat for rampant Moorlands. Andrew Fortis and Alex Rowden scored over 1,000 between them with Rowden claiming 38 wickets behind Jake Hewitt with 46. Disappointingly for Clayton West, they were relegated (as was their first team) with Cumberworth United joining them in the drop zone.
Birkby Rose Hill won their final four matches to lift the Alliance Three crown, ahead of the aforementioned Shelley, with Denby Dale and Elland succumbing to the drop to Alliance Four. Mirfield (Alliance Four Champions) and Flockton 1XI (runners up) will replace them next season.
