Triangle make blistering start to the new season
The ENCO Halifax League’s new season eventually got underway last Saturday, although six grounds were still deemed unplayable.
Christian Silkstone, returning to the league after a period at Morley, hammered 175 in just 64 balls as Triangle hit 435-7 at home to Sowerby Bridge. Liam Turner (94) and Kurtis Whippey (80) added to the hosts’ tally.
The Bridge, somewhat overwhelmed, limped to 133 all out as Jake Dixon took 5-11.
Promoted Shelf Northowram HT’s first innings of the season lasted only 37.3 overs. Alex Schofield, Lewis Firth and Tyson Illingworth captured three wickets apiece for visitors SBCI, with only two Hedge Top batters hitting double figures, in a score of 48 all out. The visitors eased to 53-4.
The other promoted team, now Warley & Elland, fared little better as they lost by 49 runs at Oxenhope.
The hosts were dismissed for 151, Taufeeq Ahmed taking 5-38, but Warley & Elland fell to 102 all out.
Illingworth St Mary’s scored 263-6 at Bradshaw as Gary Fellows (100) continued his form of last season, aided by Matthew Smith (60) and Jamie Moorhouse (51).
Bradshaw struggled to compile 103 all out as Jack Hemblys returned 5-30.
Thornton inserted Copley at Hill Top Road, a decision that proved decisive, as the visitors struggled to 121 all out, Bradley Weatherhead taking 5-34. Thornton also found the going tough but reached 123-5.
In the First Division there was a tight finish at Great Horton PC, who just shaded Blackley’s 103 all out.
The visitors struggled, with only Finn Murphy (45) coming to terms with the conditions as Zafar Anwar took 4-33. Horton’s reply was in trouble at 83-9 but number 11 bat Richard Winn hit 20 not out to steer the home team to 105-9. Ben Pedley (531) led the attack.
There was a similar low scoring affair at Greetland where visitors Low Moor HT triumphed by just 12 runs.
Trinity limped to 118 all out but the home team fell short at 106, Matthew Jordan (6-31) and Michael Hustler (412) in form.
Clayton’s 196 all out, in which debutant Michael Nicholson (62) shone, was too much for home side Mytholmroyd, who slumped from 93-4 to 121 all out.