A thrilling day’s play saw most business concluded in the Premiership after a brilliant all-round performance by Daniel Moorhouse, underscored by Matthew Schubert’s brutal batting, made sure of safety for Almondbury Wesleyan. Moorlands confirmed their status as Champions even though they had little say on the day after an almost washout at home to Hoylandswaine. Honley’s first win since May defeated an absence-hit Skelmanthorpe which handed the title to Moorlands and almost made sure of their own safety. Elsewhere, Scholes crushed Shepley and Barkisland were sidelined by the weather which rescued Kirkburton from a likely defeat.
Matthew Schubert drove a nail into Thongsbridge’s coffin and secured Almondbury Wesleyans’ Premiership status with a dominant batting performance. The Australian helped complete a polished chase at Miry Lane with defeated Thongsbridge now faced with the increased spectre of relegation after six successful years in the top flight. The hosts had set a competitive 215ao, but their inability to put the game beyond the visitors ultimately cost them. Bridge stalwart Ben Raven-Hill compiled an careful 72 and Richard Marshall made 43 but spinner Daniel Moorhouse kept them under close inspection with 5-69 with Daniel Payne also contributing with 3-59. The Wesleyans slumped to 15-3 to lose control of the match but they only lost one further wicket thanks to commanding partnership. Moorhouse dropped anchor for an unbeaten 59 which left Schubert to punish the Thongsbridge bowling attack as he hammered 95no from 68 balls to lead his team to 212-4 inside 36 overs.
Lewis Kenworthy claimed a sensational 5-14 for Honley to propel them to their first victory in over three months but it was the hard yards put in by opening bowlers Joel Size and Charlie Taylor that set up a remarkable victory at home to Skelmanthorpe. The defeat for Shat also sealed the Byrom Shield title for Moorlands who only managed ten overs at home to Hoylandswaine, however Honley’s success means they now hold a ten point gap (effectively eleven by including total wins) with only twelve points left to play for. Australian opening bowler Size grabbed 2-27 and young prospect Taylor hoovered up 3-26 in a one-sided first innings that paved the way for Kenworthy to mop up an raw-looking tail. Skelmanthorpe’s lacklustre 98ao provided Honley with an ideal opportunity for a win that has desperately eluded them for so long and they made no mistake with Lewis Evans (43no) and Eddie Wilson (26no) providing the cornerstone of the 99-2 reply.
Four Mirfield Parish bowlers all collected two wickets each at Broad Oak to send the Sykes Cup winners plummeting to defeat, however Parish’s relegation was confirmed by results elsewhere. Oak’s top order was virtually whitewashed by rock bottom Parish with Hashim Wajid, Brayden Brehaut, Connor Rowlands and Nick Sharp bagging pairs as Oak were dismissed for 107. Sean Mee’s middle order 45 was as good as it got for the hosts and a 75 run opening partnership for Parish virtually ended the contest. Sharp claimed a pleasing 50 and captain Dave Bolt hit 41no to guide Parish to a welcome victory, however attention must now be turned to next season’s rebuild.
In-form Yassir Imtiaz hit a half-century and claimed four wickets as Scholes slayed Shepley during a crushing win at Marsh Lane. Imtiaz hit 53 in Scholes’ 182-8 with skipper Benji Birkhead contributing 45. Shepley’s Josh Hoyle claimed 4-36 but his side crumbled under Scholes pressure in the reply as they were castled for just 51. Louis Brook finished with 5-35 for the visitors with Imtiaz snaring 4-3 to mop up the tail in a convincing success.
Barkisland were denied a victory which would have taken them above opponents Kirkburton into third as the weather intervened to frustrate them. Numan Akbar took 4-46 and spinner Cameron Van Rensburg collected 3-25 as Burton were dismissed for 108 where captain Johnny Butterfield was left marooned on 36no. Barkisland progressed to 18-1 before play ended after 9 overs.
