Featured Image: Chris Flanagan (Thurstonland) helped book his teams place in the All-Rounder Cricket Sykes Cup First Round with a century against Denby in a high-scoring preliminary round match.
Photo courtesy of the Huddersfield Examiner.
Runs rained down in several All-Rounder Cricket Preliminary Round matches as the sun shone on an afternoon of absorbing cricket.
Probably the most exciting tie of all was at Castle Hill where the bottom two teams in 2016's Conference table fought out a thrilling match. Emley Clarence travelled to Hall Bower batting first and setting a strong 265-9 total for their hosts to chase. The much-travelled Sarfraz Ahmed anchored his side's innings with 75 with David Stratford adding an unbeaten 75no. Hall Bower in reply pushed Emley all the way led by Faiser Siddiq (89) and Brett McDonagh (49). When it came down to the final over, great death bowling saw Emley home by 4 runs where they'll face a daunting task in the next round as they head to Sykes Cup holders Delph & Dobcross.
Thurstonland made Denby pay for some lacklustre bowling as they piled on the runs away at Denby. Chris Flanagan was the mainstay of their innings with a brilliant 129 as the visitors made 309-5 from their 50 overs. Denby in reply showed heart but were given too much to do despite a good half-century from James Gumpert (65). Thurstonland's reward is a trip away to Clayton West in round 1.
Jacob Mulhall's stock continued to rise as the youngster crashed 103no in Lepton Highlander's big win against Almondbury. Lepton's 321-4 proved to be too big an ask for Almondbury with Ihsan Mohammed (90) also profiting. Former Linthwaite player Ibrar Hussain's 99 and Mirza Mobeen's 47 the main contributors to the visitor's reply. Lepton will entertain Holmfirth in Sykes Cup round one.
Cumberworth United booked their passage to a meeting with local rivals Skelmanthorpe, who they shocked four years ago. They were far too strong for Upperthong despite being bowled out for 179 batting first. Upperthong were obliterated by a powerful 5-wicket haul by former Shepley bowler Ashley Littlewood (5-7) as they lost by 115 runs.
Denby Dale and Mirfield booked trips to Premiership opposition in Honley and Broad Oak respectively after they overcame Birkby Rose Hill and Marsden. Denby Dale romped to victory having bowled Birkby Rose Hill out for 126 thanks to Sam Tyas' 39no. Mirfield saw off Marsden after putting up 192-7 in their innings thanks mainly to Islan Hussain (40) and a half-century by Naseer Saudagar (55). Marsden then slumped to 106ao in reply.