Delph primed for cup semi

KYLE HOGG . . . will be a vital player if cleared to turn out for Delph in Sunday’s cup semi-final.

BIG games are coming thick and fast for red-hot Delph in the Drakes Huddersfield League.

Grant Jones’ side, who have won their last six premiership one matches to climb to third in the table, are gearing up for a sequence of showdowns which could shape their season.

Delph go to second-placed Shepley tomorrow (1.30pm) when vital league points are at stake, before Elland call to Huddersfield Road on Sunday for the small matter of a Romida Sykes Cup semi-final (start 1pm).

And on Saturday week, high-flying Honley are the visitors in a game which could have a huge say on the outcome of this season’s title.

Delph are yet to lift the Sykes Cup in 11 attempts and despite beating Elland by 123 runs last weekend in the league, Jones reckons that result will have no bearing on Sunday’s eagerly-awaited encounter.

The wicketkeeper said: “We were 70 for five in that game, but we managed to pull it round after Bilal (Khiljee) and I put on 100 for the sixth wicket. Bilal saw it through to 270 with a century.

“Elland started really well and were smashing the ball all over the place, but for some reason they imploded.

“They have got some good players in Ryan Robinson, who has played for Durham and Yorkshire, Greg Buckley, who was at Micklehurst, and opening batsman Lee Baxter.

“That performance was probably just a blip on their part, but it should take nothing away from us because we have been playing some good cricket recently.”

Jones is hopeful Lancashire’s Kyle Hogg will be free to play this weekend.

The all-rounder, who scored a first-class career-best of 88 in the recent Roses encounter at Old Trafford, will spearhead the bowling attack in tandem with Khiljee. Hogg will also add depth to the batting order.

John Morris has been drafted into Sunday’s team as Aaron Lilley is unavailable.




MICKLEHURST, who are bottom of the Frank Platt Championship, welcome Clayton West to Castle Lane tomorrow (1.30pm).






WOODHOUSES, who reached the Walkden Cup final courtesy of a magnificent win over high-flying Glossop last weekend, return to Lancashire County League action tomorrow.



Mike Cassidy’s side, who sit fourth in the table, are at home to Dukinfield (1pm).

Cassidy, with 46 runs, three wickets and three catches, was one of the stars of the show as the Medlock Road outfit defeated Glossop by 42 runs in the semi-final.

Josh Tolley was unbeaten on 76, Nick Doyle made 52 and Manzoor Ellahi took four for 39.

Woodhouses will play host to Denton West in the final on August 1.