Delph won't throw in towel yet

T20 GLORY BID . . . Andrew Gleave

DELPH'S grip on the Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership title might look as though it's slipping, but the players won't give up hope of catching this year's runaway leaders Hoylandswaine just yet.

Andrew Gleave's men roared to title glory last year, remaining undefeated all season as they also won the Sykes Cup and the Twenty20 Trophy.

Hoylandswaine appear to have taken on the mantle of big guns this term, though, and a dip in form earlier this month means Delph are currently 19 points adrift of the leaders.

CRUSHED

Delph haven't thrown in the towel yet, however.

Last weekend they crushed Moorlands by nine wickets after bowling the third-placed outfit out for just 70.

Skipper Gleave said: "I suppose there were a few different factors which contributed to us losing a few games.

"We lost three on the bounce and that was a shock to the system, really.

"In one of those games we just didn't turn up, in one we batted poorly, and then we didn't have that slice of luck you sometimes need when a decision went against us.

"The lads have bounced back really well since, though.

"These defeats might well end up costing us, but the lads have shown terrific character in the way they've responded.

"Before the Moorlands game I just asked for a bit of togetherness, and look what happened.

"Stranger things have happened in sport. There's nine games left now and if Hoylandswaine do slip up, we'll be right there waiting to pounce.

"We still believe we can win the title.

"If they lost three on the bounce like we did, then anything could happen."

Delph host Skelmanthorpe tomorrow, before then bidding to retain one of their three big prizes when they travel to Armitage Bridge on Sunday for the Twenty20 Trophy final.

Gleave said: "I fancy our chances against anyone in any competition, so we'll go to Armitage Bridge confident.

BELIEF

"They beat us at our place in the group stage so they'll have belief, but it's vital for us that we win at least one trophy this season (Delph are already out of the Sykes Cup).

"After winning all three last season it would be seen as a big disappointment if we didn't win any trophies this time."

Arron Lilley is the only player definitely unavailable this weekend as he continues with his Lancashire commitments.