Second Victory Of Weekend Gives Golcar A Boost 

In a Premiership-only programme, Hoylandswaine crashed to defeat as Honley inflicted their second defeat of the season at Far End Lane. Elsewhere Golcar made it two wins from two this weekend after their patched up side pulled off a remarkable victory at home to Delph and Armitage Bridge pushed themselves further into mid-table safety as they dominated Skelmanthorpe.

Golcar, energised by the previous days win against Barkisland followed up that with an even more impressive victory as they helped scupper Delph & Dobcross's title defence. Steve Whitwam's side, missing several first team players, showed great character to restrict free-scoring Delph as they tumbled from a well-placed 99-2 at drinks to 148ao in 15 devastating overs. Craig Ruscoe's 3-60 targeted the middle order and long-serving Craig Horner (3-9) mopped up the tail as Delph failed to assert control after winning the toss batting first. In reply, Golcar withstood a wobble themselves but big-hitting Sri-Lankan professional Upal Bandara (79no) found a foil with Ruscoe and led his team to a precious victory.

Leaders Hoylandswaine came a cropper away at Honley, who possess a formidable home record, having not lost since the first match of the season on home soil. Swaine's bowling let themselves down as Honley put up a strong 229-9 helped by in-form Will Fraine (96) and anchored well by Timmy Taylor (30). Honley then kept scoreboard pressure on Hoylandswaine who managed to claw back a batting point as they finished on 192ao.

Matthew West (109) fired a sparkling century for Armitage Bridge as they gained revenge for their quarter final Sykes Cup loss by chalking up a useful win and kept Skelmanthorpe deep in trouble at the bottom. Aizaz Khan put in a fine all-round performance with 5-54 and 53 but it wasn't enough as Skelmanthorpe weren't able to get close enough to the visitors 278-8, finishing on 209ao.

Scholes had to battle hard to keep their extra-ordinary winning run going at home to Cawthorne. They bowled well enough to keep Cawthorne within range as they limited them to 191ao; Ayrton Dehmel top scoring for the visiting team with 53. Cawthorne had Scholes troubled in reply, accounting for big guns Devon Smith (40) and Joe Carter for a duck. But they couldn't break up a match-winning 6th wicket partnership between Tom Brook (51no) and Alex Clegg (31no) as Scholes eased to another victory.

Kirkburton's weekend was one to forget as they lost for the second time as Broad Oak completed a double away at Riley Lane. Dominic Finn (64) batted sensibly for the Oak as they set 229-7 which was enough to muscle out Kirkburton who could only reach 175ao. John Keeling's spin (4-39) and New Zealander Ben Hyde (4-30) kept the hosts in check with opener Andrew Smith (43) and captain Craig Fletcher (41no) the only Kirkburton players to show defiance with the bat.

Barkisland squandered a golden chance to pick up an essential win at home to Shepley. Despite being bowled out for a lowly 118 with Alex Scholefield's 57no the only highlight, they had Shepley rocking at 30-4. However Archie Greave's development continues apace and he displayed remarkable maturity to steady his side with 42. There was still work to do for Shepley and Nasir Jamal (13) and Danny Wood (2) took Shepley over the line with a spirited last wicket stand to delivery a severe gut-punch to Barkisland's survival chances.

Moorlands retook second place, taking advantage of Delph's stutter and pulled back some ground on Hoylandswaine by dismissing Thongsbridge. The visitors were bowled out for 155 and Moorlands cruised to a straightforward triumph reaching 158-3 with Cameron French (58no) top-scoring.