By Jamie Harrison
Delayed Indian import Dev Pradhan and Sam Tyas gave Skelmanthorpe’s safety battle a boost as they clipped the wings of relegation rivals Almondbury Wesleyans in the scrap at the bottom of the Premiership.
Bottom two sides Armitage Bridge and Delph both lost but Moorlands and Broad Oak romped to victories which improved their chances of escaping the drop.
Skelmanthorpe v Almondbury Wesleyans
It was better late than never for Skelmanthorpe as their long-delayed Indian overseas professional added a dimension they were missing as they completed back-to-back successes with a home win over Almondbury Wesleyans.
Quick bowler Pradhan, who only arrived 10 days previously, claimed 3-30 and opening seamer Sam Tyas helped himself to 3-33 as Skelmanthorpe did the double over the side that joined them in winning promotion to the Premiership last term.
Christopher Scott’s valiant 76 provided most of the runs in a disappointing Wesleyans total of 114ao as they were outplayed at Lidgett Lane.
The winning margin was even more contrasting after the home side raced to victory by knocking off their target for the loss of no wickets. Paul Cummins (35no) and league batting frontrunner Jack Newby (78no) completed a satisfying afternoon which saw them remain in the bottom three, however the gap to safety has been sheared to just one point.
Shepley v Delph & Dobcross
In-form Delph & Dobcross squandered an ideal opportunity to draw closer to their basement rivals as a precious win eluded them at Shepley. The visitors controlled most of the contest as their pace bowlers dominated in Shepley’s low first innings total of 124ao.
Max Joice continued his rich vein of form with a classy 57 – his third half-century in the last three matches – that enabled his team to have something to defend in the face of prepotent Delph bowlers Adnan Ghani (3-36) and Arman Hussain (4-38). Captain Nathan Jones led the reply on the front foot as he made a fluent 56 and at 82-3 Delph were in total control.
However his demise, after playing a ball straight back to spinner Oliver Davidson, triggered a collapse that resulted in a damaging defeat. Davidson went on to take 5-7 from nine overs to send Delph spiralling to their first loss in six league and cup matches.
Barkisland v Broad Oak
Mid-table Barkisland were stunned by Broad Oak who completed the double over them as they warmed up nicely for their Sykes Cup semi-final date with Hoylandswaine. Adam France (3-12) and Fletcher Coutts 5-23, blazed through the visitors who crumbled to 83ao.
Oak slipped to 16-3 in reply but they recovered sufficiently as Coutts (41no) blasted his way out of trouble in his side’s 84-3.
Moorlands v Kirkburton
Nadim Hussain punished Kirkburton as Moorlands made it two wins from two to ease their relegation worries somewhat. Hussain took 5-17, complemented by Eddie Walmsley’s 3-24 as Kirkburton were kept under control at the Memorial Ground.
Sam Carroll and Jonny Smith both made 22 for the visitors but when they fell close to one another, the innings was quickly concluded on 119ao. Shoukat Ali made 47 as Moorlands seized the opportunity to close off a vital victory as they pushed themselves further away from the drop zone.
Honley v Thongsbridge
Honley outmuscled local rivals Thongsbridge for the second time this season ahead of their crunch midweek T20 semi-final against the same opposition. Timmy Taylor’s 4-50 and Lewis Kenworthy 2-30, were an imposing presence on Thongsbridge who limped to 153ao, batsmen Pragam Sharma and skipper Alex Kemp both making 36 for the visitors.
Honley had no hangover from their surprising capitulation at Delph six days earlier as they impressively secured a one-sided win by replying with 154-2. Taylor (79no) again was central to Honley’s success as they cruised to an 11th win of the season.
Golcar v Scholes
Scholes continued their pursuit of Hoylandswaine by dismissing Golcar at Chapelgate. Muhammad Ali’s 44 was the highlight of a below-par Golcar innings of 153ao which was subjugated by the bowling of Louis Brook 4-36.
Jack Shelley continued his impressive debut season at Scholes as the all-rounder made 47 opening the batting, before Brad Birkhead’s 48no saw them home with a reply of 154-6. Golcar clawed themselves a point by way of consolation but Scholes remained in second place, 15 points behind Hoylandswaine.
