Halifax League's top two beaten

Jar Lane have resumed their usual position at the top of the Spenser Wilson Halifax League.
Actions from SBCC v Sowerby SP, at Stainland Rec. Pictured is Martin SchofieldActions from SBCC v Sowerby SP, at Stainland Rec. Pictured is Martin Schofield
Actions from SBCC v Sowerby SP, at Stainland Rec. Pictured is Martin Schofield

The champions for the last three seasons slipped to third the previous Saturday but they scaled the heights again when they beat Blackley yesterday and top two Warley and Triangle suffered surprise defeats.

James Watson’s 57 not out lifted Blackley’s total to 212 for six and the lowly visitors’ hopes of a much-needed win must have soared when they had Lane 60 for four.

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However, Imran Mirza anchored Lane’s recovery with 69 not out while skipper Mick Hustler made 37 and Nasir Chowdrey showed again that he is much more than an opening bowler with 51. Lane won by four wickets.

Warley’s spell at the summit was ended on a trip to Sowerby, where they were limited to 184 for nine in reply to the St Peters club’s 199 for eight.

Key contributions for Sowerby came from Ryan Brook (68) and Martin Schofield (five for 78).

Triangle lost away to a Northowram Hedge Top side finding their feet in the top flight.

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Half-centuries from Nathan Madden and Christian Silkstone helped Triangle to 243 for six but home skipper Chris Conroy led the way to a five-wicket win with 116.

The title race looks open and Booth, harder hit than most by the weather, boosted their hopes with a five wicket home win over Sowerby Bridge.

Recent capture Steve Senior (69) headed their pursuit of Bridge’s 217 for seven and Patrick Thomas (49 no) and Nigel Horsfall (34 no) completed the task with flurry of boundaries in an unbroken stand of 79.

Inconsistent SBCI won by 17 runs at Copley, Tom Wood’s late wickets tipping the scales his side’s way as the hosts fell short of a target of 238 for victory.

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Paceman Jack Earle is relishing filling the void created by Senior’s departure at the top of the Mytholmroyd batting order.

He made 88 to help his side post 276 at home to a Thornton side also desperate for points near the foot of the Premier.

Ross Soames (67) and Ryan Brooksbank (53) added 134 for the fourth wicket to help Thornton to 185 for three.

However, Ahmed Taufeeq (five for 48) proved the home side’s trump card as Thornton were all out for 243.

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Three bowlers had seven wicket hauls in Division One but two of them finished on the losing side.

Gurdev Singh backed up his seven for 77 with 46 not out for Queensbury at Bridgeholme in the top of the table clash.

However, his side were all out for 166 in reply to the Eastwood side’s 245, meaning Queensbury’s lead at the top was slashed to one point.

Ollie Challis (71), Dan Fielden (55) and Yasir Mahmood (49) scored well for Bridgeholme.

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Jack Hembleys’ seven for 56 was in vain for Old Crossleyans, who lost by 43 runs at bottom side Low Moor.

Mark Stokes (68) was responsible for Moor reaching 181.

Fantastic spells by Masood Zaman (five for 19) and Martin Jenkins (three for 18), plus a spectacular catch by Anthony Dowling, led to Crocs’ demise for 138.

Liam Dyson was the bowler who got his just desserts as Oxenhope beat Stones by five wickets.

Dyson took seven for 49 to limit the Ripponden side to 202 and opener Tom Mawer (91 no) eventually found a willing partner in Joe Ousey (48 no) as Oxenhope continued their pursuit of the top two.

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Jason Williamson’s 94 dominated Southowram’s 213 for six against Great Horton Park Chapel.

Chapel surged to victory with four wickets and almost 10 overs to spare with assistance from Richard Hassell (56) and Waqar Ilyas (46).

There were some one-sided contests in Division Two and Clayton led the way with a 208-run success against Old Town, rattling up 302 for three and dismissing their opponents for 94.

Neil Armitage took six for 21 and Babar Malik hit 85 as Shelf won by 106 runs away to Greetland.

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The home side’s Adnan Asad (45 out of a total of 104 and five for 43) lacked support.

Alex Blagborough (114) and Andrew Holding (97) helped Outlane amass 321 at home to Luddenden Foot.

Blagborough was far from finished, he and Calum Westwood taking four wickets each as Foot fell well short at 184 all out.

Upper Hopton could only total 78 at third-placed Denholme Clough and lost by seven wickets.

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There was the same margin of victory for leaders Cullingworth at home to second-placed Bradshaw.

The visitors made 209 for eight with 62 down the order from Matthew Crowther.

However, a second-wicket stand of 157 between Adrian Powis (72) and Steve Welch (69) helped Cullingworth win easily.