Lonergan landmark as Micklehurst stay in title contention

MICKLEHURST maintained their position in the group of title contenders in the Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership with a comfortable victory over Holmfirth.

The match saw Micklehurst batsman Dennis Lonergan pass the 1,000 runs mark for the season and brought a useful contribution from Mark Brylowski, promoted from the second team.

After Melbourne Austin and Ryan McGrath had taken an early wicket each, Brylowski was brought into the attack and was soon celebrating by taking two wickets in a spell of five overs for just 16 runs.

It was then the turn of the spinners to take over and, while Dennis Lonergan helped to restrict the runs, it was Aaron Lilley who took the remaining wickets to fall, ending with four for 34 from his 11 overs as Holmfirth totalled 167 for eight.

In reply, Micklehurst’s opening pair of Hesford and Anchor both found runs hard to come by, scoring just 18 in the first 10 overs.

When both departed, Lonergan opened his scoring account with a typical boundary which took him past the 1,000 runs mark for the 2008 campaign.

Quasar Rashid came and went for just nine and it was left to the emerging talent of 17-year-old Aaron Lilley to join Lonergan in an unbroken partnership of 86 to seal victory on 168 for three. Lonergan finished on 71 and Lilley 44.

Saturday brings the visit of third-placed Honley to Castle Lane for another crucial game.