In the Halifax Cricket League, Upper Hopton clinched the coveted title in the Second Division, edging out Augustinians by a margin of 8 points on the final day. Augustinians faced an unexpected defeat at home against Sowerby St Peter’s, losing by 62 runs. Meanwhile, Hopton secured a convincing 111-run victory over Old Town.
A special invitation will be extended to Aiden Green of Sowerby for the Mirfield team’s championship celebration. Green’s outstanding performance of an unbeaten 112 runs against Augustinians played a pivotal role in securing their second-place finish.
At Hopton, the trio of Harry Scott (68 not out), Harvey Lockwood (68), and Thomas Wightman (60) set an imposing target of 240-6 for Old Town. The Hebden Bridge team, however, fell short, managing only 129 all out, dampening the atmosphere at Jackroyd Lane.
The atmosphere was starkly different at Woodhouse Gardens, where the home team had to settle for promotion after falling short of their championship aspirations. Green’s exceptional 112 not out constituted the majority of Sowerby’s 198-5. The nerves got the better of the Augustinians’ batting lineup as they crumbled to 136 all out.
Queensbury witnessed a flurry of runs, with a total of 511, narrowly surpassing Oakworth’s efforts. The visitors posted a respectable 255-8, with Jake Keslinke (96), Joel Gallagher (78 not out), and Bradley Powell (42) leading the charge. Darren Jack’s 4-45 added to the pressure. Queensbury owed its victory to an outstanding innings from Oliver Challis, who notched up an unbeaten 163 runs off just 103 balls, including 11 fours and 10 sixes. This dominating performance led Queensbury to a victory with thirteen balls to spare, ending at 256-6.
Stones were also in fine form, posting an impressive 246-5 at home against Leymoor. William Thickett, despite achieving a career-best score of 96 not out, may have been disappointed not to reach a century. Kevin O’Rourke contributed 59 runs. Leymoor’s response was limited to 157 all out, with Jack Earnshaw also achieving a personal best of 86 runs, surpassing his previous record of 50 in 2019.
In an Outlane total of 189 all out, Andy Stokes led the scoring with 56 runs in their home match against Cullingworth. The standout moment of the day belonged to Michael Dennison, the opener for Cullingworth, who was left stranded on an agonizing 99 not out when they reached a winning total of 191-3. He, alongside Thomas Harrison (66), formed a formidable 134-run partnership, sealing the victory.
