Halifax Cricket League First Division: Warley has swiftly reclaimed its position in the top tier by convincingly defeating Southowram at Paradise Lane, triumphing by nine wickets. The team now needs an additional 22 points out of a potential 36 to secure the championship title. The Rams took the batting initiative but managed a mere 88 runs before being all out, with Faheem Khatana taking 4-15. In response, Warley reached 89-1 in 87 balls. The relegation of the Rams is now confirmed beyond doubt.
Great Horton PC finds itself trailing second-placed Shelf Northowram HT by 14 points following a challenging day on the field. Playing at home, they suffered a 28-run loss to Low Moor HT in a low-scoring encounter. Despite a remarkable bowling performance by Zafar Anwar, who achieved his career-best figures of 7-23, the effort went unrewarded due to his team’s defeat. Trinity was dismissed for a mere 108, and although Stuart Fenton (5-21) and Mark Stokes (4-19) responded in kind, they managed to bowl out Horton for 80, severely denting Horton’s promotion aspirations.
Hedge Top, positioned second, was hindered by rainfall during their match against Clayton, resulting in a solitary point gain over Horton. The weather frustration was palpable, especially considering that Hedge Top needed just 13 more runs to secure victory. They had an abundance of overs left to chase Clayton’s 98-6, achieved from a reduced 27 overs. At the point of rain interruption, Hedge Top’s reply stood at 87-3, with a mere 100 runs needed to win.
Greetland now only requires three points from its remaining two matches to retain its First Division status, having bested its closest competitor, Mount, by four wickets. Mount is now almost certain to join Southowram in the lower tier. Batting first at West Vale, the visiting team managed to score 134 before being all out, primarily thanks to Samee Arshad (42) and Anees Rawat (42), while Muhammad Asif secured figures of 4-35. After a rain delay, Greetland’s target was adjusted to 123 from 45 overs, a goal they accomplished by reaching 124-6 with nine overs to spare. Skipper Asif enjoyed an all-round performance, contributing 42 not out to the victory.
