In the Halifax Cricket League, the shortest match of the day took place at Bradley & Colnebridge, where Bridgeholme swiftly dismissed their hosts for a mere 41 runs in less than 35 overs. Mohammed Asif was the star bowler, taking an impressive 6-18. The visitors then headed to Todmorden and secured the win with a score of 44-3.
Meanwhile, the Premier Division Champions, Thornton, ended their undefeated season in spectacular fashion, triumphing by 10 wickets at Bradshaw. Ross Parr played a pivotal role, taking 6-34 and being instrumental in bowling Bradshaw out for 94. Grant Soames (61 not out) and Jordan Croft (30 not out) secured the victory with a total of 96-0.
The standout bowling performance of the day, and indeed one of the best in the entire Premier Division season, came from SBCI’s Daniel Sykes. He achieved career-best figures of 12.3-0-63-8 in a home game against Luddendenfoot, who were dismissed for a total of 189. Among their ranks, Jacob Whitehouse (57) and Michael Whittingham (56) both notched up half-centuries. SBCI claimed maximum points with a winning total of 190-4, although it’s worth noting that there was a glitch in recording individual scores after reaching 80 runs.
In a surprising turn of events, runners-up Illingworth St Mary’s suffered a defeat on their home turf to Booth, who secured victory by four wickets. Nigel Horsfall (4-24) and Ric Laycock (4-49) were the standout bowlers as the Saints were bowled out for 136. Booth responded with a total of 139-6.
Copley made light work of their trip to Walton Street, dispatching hosts Sowerby Bridge with ease and clinching a commanding 116-run victory. Five Copley batsmen delivered solid performances, with notable contributions from Will Rushton (83) and Matthew Rowles (77), resulting in a total of 249-5. Sowerby Bridge’s response seemed lacklustre in comparison, with five bowlers sharing the wickets and a final total of 130 all out.
Blackley bid farewell to the division in a similar fashion, managing only 141 all out at Lindley Road against Oxenhope. Despite this, they came agonizingly close to winning the match, as Oxenhope, fielding only ten men, finished with 142-8. At 139-7 and 139-8, Blackley had a genuine chance to secure that final wicket, but it wasn’t meant to be. The standout moments in the innings were Lewis Hopkinson’s 41 and Jonathan Stenson’s impressive 5-42.
At Moderna Way, a high-scoring contest unfolded, with visiting Triangle racing to victory in under 29 overs. The Royd batted first, with Thomas Conway (73) leading the charge to a total of 215 all out. Daniel Crosland played a significant role, taking 4-54. Seven Triangle batsmen achieved double-figure scores, with Edward Denham’s rapid 48 runs off 36 balls setting the pace. In the end, the visitors secured the win with a total of 216-7.
