Upperthong professional Vinnie Jayasuriya stepped up to the mark to help Upperthing score a crucial victory over Elland as the Conference bottom two faced off. Jayasuriya hit 91 which was followed up by a half-century by Tom Mighall (52) before useful knocks by George Oakley (47) and Will Oakley (41no) contributed towards the visitors 277-7. Former Shelley and Batley all-rounder Mohammed Bhoola followed up his 5-67 with 47, along with Asif Qayyum (47) but it wasn’t enough as Mighall claimed 4-35 and Jayasuriya took 3-43 during Elland’s capitulation to 162ao.
Leaders Marsden remained well on course for promotion after Ben Lowden made 31 in their 193ao at Linthwaite. The hosts struggled to match them with Lowden collecting 3-49 whilst Umer Shehzad and Amruth Chappidi also bagged three each as Linthwaite were shot down for 85.
Elsewhere, Cumberworth eased to a 14 run win at home to Hall Bower. Faisar Siddiq nabbed 4-17 for Bower as Cumberworth were dismissed for 130, but George Parkes responded with 4-28 to condemn the visitors' reply. Jack Seddon (above) amassed a massive total for Hoylandswaine 2XI in an away win at Emley where Saif Ur-Rehman helped himself to 4-34.
Mirfield’s promotion aims suffered a setback by losing narrowly at Edgerton & Dalton. Muhammad Toseef scored 51 for Edgerton who totalled 176 with Naseer Saudagar taking 4-50. Arham Afzaal’s 4-43 pulled the visitors up short on 168-9. Kirkheaton took advantage to move into third with a victory at Thurstonland who were bowled out for 104 thanks to Shoaib Rehman (4-24). Jimmy Cain made 63 for Thurstonland but couldn’t prevent the loss as Kirkheaton replied with 107-6 with Asad Mahmood top scoring.
In the Alliance, Skelmanthorpe crushed Barkisland by putting on 226-7 before dismissing the hosts for just 61. Dan Barber claimed 5-39 and Ben Oldroyd enjoyed 4-21 in the one-sided success. Their lead was extended to six points when Scholes slipped to defeat at Kirkburton after being bowled out for 125 thanks to Javaid Ahmad’s 4-40.
Delph’s Grant Jones made it 10 wickets in two matches as they waltzed to victory at Golcar. The evergreen stalwart claimed 4-26 and former Lancashire man Darren Shadford scored an unbeaten 43, a good 19 years after he last played for the club.
Denby Dale and Almondbury first teams both registered wins to push them up the table away at Thongsbridge and Armitage Bridge respectively. Malindu Maduranga collected 3-7 and then scored 31 as Denby replied to Thongsbridge’s 106ao with 110-6. Paul Hamer scored 70 and Cody Parr made 64 for Armitage Bridge but their 203-7 wasn’t enough. Overseas man Bernard Snyman smashed 112no on the back of 3-35 to guide them to victory for the loss of three wickets.
Moorlands’ perfect winning run continued with a victory away at Broad Oak; the team that knocked them out of the Paddock Shield. Andrew Fortis’ midas touch showed no sign of dimming as he helped himself to 68 with Logan Silverwood making 52 in a six wicket win. Almondbury Wesleyans are 16 points off them in second as they galloped to a ten wicket success at Clayton West with Jack Ghee (41no) and Harry Shaw (58no) completing the win.
Imad Hussain and Sana Rana’s 59-run last wicket stand was crucial as Birkby took advantage of Edgerton & Dalton’s slip up to surge six points clear at the top of Alliance Three. Hussain scored 39 and Rana hit an unbeaten 23 to set Denby 178ao. Hussain then claimed three wickets along with Zaheer Ahmed (3-18) to pip the hosts who were bowled out for 163. Edgerton & Dalton went down at Holmbridge 1XI who successfully chased their 201ao. Joseph Clough (50) and Andrew MacLeod (65no) both scored half centuries to knock them off for four wickets. Josh Fowler crashed 119 from 77 balls for bottom side Denby Dale who remarkably won at home to fourth placed Shelley by 85 runs.
Mirfield took over at the top of Alliance Four but only just as they staggered home by one wicket at Flockton 1XI. Tanweer Afzal collected 6-22 as the home side were knocked over for 98 but it was the steady steering of James Broadhead whose 65no ensured a nervy finale with a 99-9 reply.
