Halifax Cricket League: The Second Division leaders, Augustinians, secured their inaugural promotion in a thrilling home encounter against Oakworth. Initially, they struggled to accumulate runs, finding themselves at 36-4. Nevertheless, Nasir Awan displayed immense resilience, crafting an unbeaten 69 runs off 106 balls, which propelled the home team to a total of 165-5 in their allotted 45 overs. This remarkable innings had a profound impact as the visiting team was eventually bowled out for a mere 114 runs. James Powell (42) was the solitary Oakworth batsman who managed to cope with the bowling prowess of Muhammad Majid (6-31). In fact, six Oakworth players recorded ducks, with three of them being golden, and two others succumbing after just two balls!
Upper Hopton, aiming for promotion, found themselves in a dominant position against Stones, reducing them to a precarious 45-7. However, a spirited recovery by the tail-enders, led by number 10 Tim Hallawell (33), enabled Stones to post a final total of 124 all out. Matt Broadbent (4-14) continued to impress, achieving a milestone by surpassing 50 league wickets in a season for the first time. Jack Stephenson also shone, claiming 4-24 to reach a total of 64 wickets. Upper Hopton faced little trouble as they gradually reached a winning score of 127-3, with Harry Scott (66 not out) leading the way. They now need just seven points from matches against Leymoor and Old Town to secure promotion.
Sowerby St Peter’s faced a tough challenge against Bradley & Colnebridge, the bottom-of-the-table team. Sowerby was dismissed for a meagre 96 all out, with Faheem Basharat taking 4-38. Bradley & Colnebridge also struggled and were at 30-5, making Sowerby the favourites. However, the three batsmen who reached double figures, especially number 10 Wajid Rafiq (22), managed to guide their team to a narrow victory at 97-9. This marked their first win of the season in the 20th fixture, despite Jack Leonard’s impressive bowling figures of 5-35.
In a match between Bridgeholme and visiting Cullingworth, Awais Khalid (40) top-scored for Bridgeholme as they posted a total of 189 all out. He received valuable support from three other batsmen in their twenties and thirties. Only Graham Rankin (49) posed any challenge for the home team’s bowling attack, led by Muhammad Zubair’s 5-49, as the visitors were bowled out for a modest 130 runs.
The quickest conclusion to a match occurred at Outlane, where the home team defeated Old Town by nine wickets in a game that lasted less than 37 overs. Old Town batted first, with only Muhammad Nabeel (52) and Shakir Makik (30) managing to reach double figures, resulting in a total of 111 all out. James Mitton was the standout bowler, claiming 4-31. Farrukh Sultan (68 not out) led Outlane’s charge to victory, reaching a winning score of 116-1 in just 17 overs. Mitton also contributed with the bat, adding an unbeaten 32 runs to his four wickets.
At Queensbury, the hosts elected to field first against Leymoor, and in the ensuing 38 overs, two players delivered career-best performances. Joshua Moore of the visitors led the charge with an impressive 87 runs, forming a formidable 132-run partnership for the second wicket with Clayton Phillips (48). Additionally, when Darren Jack was handed the ball as the fifth bowler, he achieved outstanding figures of 7-30. This remarkable performance caused Leymoor to collapse from 139-2 to 192 all out. Queensbury executed their run chase almost perfectly, reaching the target of 194-4 in the 43rd over. All six batsmen used reached double figures, with the experienced Phil Sharples (48) and the younger James Myers (42) leading the way, while Bradley Gerrard-Harrison contributed with 38 runs.
