Blackley’s innings collapses as Upper Hopton cruise to success

In the ENCO Halifax League First Division, Blackley came a cropper when asked to bat first at Upper Hopton, being dismissed for 49, writes Paul Whiteley.

The writing was on the wall at 3-4 and 12-5 and, as six batters were clean bowled, only two reached double figures. Jack Stephenson led with bowling with 4-13.

The match was over in the 11th over after tea, as Hopton replied with 50-1.

Bottom team Greetland had a welcome 171-run win in their home clash with Augustinians, and in doing so closed to within one point of their opponents in the battle to avoid relegation.

They elected to bat first and hit 222-9, with Mohammed Yousaf (53) and Zafar Khan (42) leading the scoring.

The visitors collapsed to 51 all out, in less than 18 overs, as two Greetland bowlers, Waqas Ali and Adil Hanif, shared the wickets, both recording 5-24.

The clash between two of the top three at Clayton, where Great Horton PC visited, resulted in the home team moving to within six points of their opponents with a fine 105-run win.

Sent in to bat they posted 218-6 with three batters, Michael Nicholson (56), Scott

Etherington (49) and Matthew Roe (42no) scoring the bulk of the runs.

In Horton’s reply only Ricky Hassall (35) and Fahad Shabbir (29) showed any form whatsoever in a reply of 113 all out.

David Paynter (4-21) was the pick of the Clayton bowlers.

Low Moor HT’s decision to bat at home to Mytholmroyd produced only 153-9, with Oliver Brook (42) and Mark Stokes (37no) top scoring.

Three Royd batters ensured the win, at 156-5, as Tom Earle (49), Thomas Conway

(43no) and Shazad Hassan (41) were in the groove.

Trinity are now only four points clear of the bottom spot.

The bottom-of-the-table Second Division encounter, at Leymoor, saw the hosts put daylight between themselves and Outlane, who are now adrift by nine points.

Leymoor batted first and scored 127 all out with opener Eddie Raw (51) the main contributor, Calum Westwood taking 5-26.

In reply Outlane were all out for 102 with Jack Earnshaw (5-63) and Colin Johnson (4-29) in form.