Slaithwaite’s new Kiwi professional Joshua Earle ripped into Armitage Bridge to take seven wickets and stun them in a pulsating 4-run win. Linthwaite got themselves off the mark since making the step up from the Conference by blasting away much-fancied Denby. Thongsbridge and Rastrick barely broke sweat in crushing successes against Birkby Rose Hill and Masrden. Brittle batters Lascelles Hall and Mirfield Parish Cavaliers have yet to taste a winning feeling as they were dismantled at home to Meltham and Shelley respectively.
Armitage Bridge were edged out by Slaithwaite in a thrilling contest that saw the visitors triumph by 4 runs. Slaithwaite's captain Ben Tyler led from the front with a crucial 41, while Connor Parr and Jaycob Curtling each took four wickets to put their side in a strong position. Chasing 170, Armitage Bridge slipped from 101-3 to 166 all out, despite spirited efforts from Will Martin (29) and Omar Shaffique (22). Bay of Plenty product, Joshua Earle (above) was Slaithwaite’s standout bowler, claiming a magnificent 7-34 to stun the hosts.
Linthwaite secured their first win of the season with a 5-wicket victory over a fancied Denby. Osman Butt (48) and Poorna Prangige (38) were the top scorers for Denby, but the rest of the team struggled as Ali Rafiq delivered a terrific spell of 5-47. Linthwaite's chase was guided by veteran batsman Qaiser Rashid, who contributed 31 to steer his side to victory.
Birkby Rose Hill are still waiting for their first win of the season after being comprehensively outplayed by Thongsbridge, who won by 117 runs. Vikas Dixit shone with both bat and ball for Thongsbridge, scoring 43 and taking 4-19. Thongsbridge posted a total of 210, with solid contributions throughout their lineup. Birkby's reply never got going and they were dismissed for just 93.
Newly promoted Marsden were outclassed by a rampant Rastrick at Hemplow, who won by a commanding 163 runs. Rastrick's powerful batting display was led by half-centuries from Fahid Rehman (83, above) and captain Jacob Waterson (59 not out). Ali Raza claimed 4-80 for Marsden, but the hosts were pulverised by four-wicket hauls from Jordan Ghani and Nadim Hussain, collapsing to 112 all out.
Lascelles Hall's poor start to the season continued in a low-scoring affair against Meltham, who won by a slender margin of 13 runs. Daniel Marshall's 4-20 had Meltham in trouble after a 43-run opening stand between Mark Askham (23) and Ely Van Der Merwe (26) provided some stability. Marshall top-scored for Hall with 26, but the rest of the lineup subsided. Experienced Meltham duo Ibrar Hussain (above) and Mark Askham each collected three wickets to secure the win.
Mirfield Parish Cavaliers continued their difficult start to Championship life with a second defeat, this time at home to Shelley, who won by eight wickets. Parish were bowled out for 87, with Shelley bowlers Mohammad Khuzaifa, Greg Alexander, and Muhammad Afridi each taking three wickets. Shelley's reply was comfortable, led by Reece Abrams (39 not out), with Khuzaifa (22) and Alexander (23) also contributing to the chase.
