Slaithwaite’s Zane Gilder threw the gauntlet down to their title rivals as he fired his side to a big win at home to Armitage Bridge. Leaders Delph emerged on top following a run-filled afternoon at Shelley and Golcar’s momentum continued as Meltham were crushed.
An intriguing promotion race has opened up with Slaithwaite sending a clear message to their Championship rivals after they dispatched Armitage Bridge at Hill Top to remain unbeaten at home. Zane Gilder (above) patiently carved 63 with Ben Tyler adding 44 as third-placed Slaithwaite set 193-6. Jaycob Curtling took four wickets and then he was the cornerstone of his side’s faltering reply until he was the final wicket out on 43 as Bridge crashed to 115ao.
591 runs, a century and four fifties were hammered at Shelley as Delph & Dobcross continued to power ahead at the top of the table. Nathan Jones’ side put a massive 328-6 on the scoreboard as Shelley were ruthlessly made to pay for dropped catches. Nayyar Abbas (106, above) hit his second successive ton for Delph, coming in 88 balls with 13 fours and 3 maximums. Keeper Demari Prince (74) and Arman Hussain (50no) both notched first half-centuries for Delph as they ran riot. For Shelley, George Barden made 40 and Kirin Green (50) reached his half-century. There was still room for captain Callum Power to add 45 and Josh Holling was out two runs shy of his fifty as they replied with 263. Phew!
In the other games, Golcar’s Steve Whitwam claimed four wickets with Ryan Adams and Max Adams both chipped in with two wickets apiece as Meltham were swiftly brushed aside at Mean Lane. They were bowled out for 63 with Golcar replying with 66-2. Second-placed Denby’s Sanoj Wijetunge hit 72 and Mohammad Khuzaifa made 53 as they won by 149 runs at Clayton West. Wijetunge also grabbed five wickets as Clayton West were bowled out for 120 in reply to Denby’s 269-9.
Birkby Rose Hill claimed their fourth win of the season, all at home, by nudging out Holmfirth thanks to Abbas Khan’s 67. Spinner Zain Ul Abdin took five wickets in a 10 run triumph. Rastrick’s Shrikant Wagh and Christopher Laas both notched fifties in their victory away at Lascelles Hall. Wagh also helped himself to four wickets as did Zeeshan Khan (4-30) as the visitors completed a seemingly effortless win on the road.
