Local cricket round up

DELPH players and officials celebrate their victory in the Drakes Huddersfield League’s Examiner Twenty/20 final. Delph made 215 for five, Bruce Cruse leading the way with 101, before dismissing arch rivals Honley and winning by 36 runs.

MICKLEHURST consolidated their position in the group of title challengers in the Drakes Huddersfield League Premiership when they comprehensively defeated second-placed Barkisland.

The visitors chose to bat on a hot, sunny afternoon but must have soon regretted their decision as Melbourne Austin and Quasir Rashid totally dominated proceedings, bowling 11 maidens out of their combined total of 23 overs.

Austin finished with two for 33, Rashid two for 25 and Aaron Lilley five for 24 off 9.1 overs as Barkisland limped to 133 all out, with Panyangara making a spirited 50.

In reply, Micklehurst’s regular openers, Danny Hesford and Danny Anchor, were tested by the aggressive pace bowling of Panyangara, but the pair were able to steer the home side to almost half way to their target.

A flurry of wickets unsettled Micklehurst before Austin produced a typically brisk knock of 37 to take them to the brink of victory which Tom Whittle and Andy Whitehead secured with 14 overs remaining and four wickets in hand.

ROYTONIANS had a miserable weekend in the North Manchester League, losing both matches in a double-header to slip to mid-table in the league and crash out of the Hodson Cup at the semi-final stage.

In the league game against local rivals Failsworth Macedonia, Roytonians batted first and were in pole position at 90 for two with Matt Hall making 55, but the lower order failed to contribute as the innings fell away to finish at 124.

Russ Billing took five wickets to put Roytonians in with a chance but the visitors held their nerve to knock off the runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Roytonians faced Prestwich in the Hodson Cup semi-final and built a useful first innings of 164, Wayne Critchley top scoring with 33.

They then made inroads into the Prestwich batting to leave the visitors six wickets down and still needing 60. However, the Royton side couldn’t capitalise and Prestwich won without further loss.

GREENFIELD have clinched the Saddleworth League under-17s title with a match to spare.

Austerlands will host the under-17s Romida Trophy final on Sunday September 13 when they will play Saddleworth.

Meanwhile, Austerlands will travel to Uppermill tomorrow in their final group game in the Steve Haughton Memorial Challenge where a win will see them through to the next stage having already beaten Glodwick and Cheetham Hill.