OXENHOPE won by six wickets on a day when it was again advantage bowlers in the ENCO Halifax League.

The Keighley team were at SBCI on Saturday, in a clash of joint second-placed teams in the Premier Division, and the hosts chose to bat, but were back in the pavilion by the 32nd over, having made just 100.

Skipper Simon Wood (32) was the only batter to top 30, and he became one of Liam Witney’s victims, with the bowler taking 4-10.

Oxenhope eased to victory in the 28th over, Harris Rowlett (41) being the top scorer.

Bradshaw ran into lots of trouble on their visit to Shelf Northowram Hedge Top, losing their first five batters with only 18 on the board.

It did not get much better either as only two of the remaining six reached double figures, with the innings closing on 78 after just 18 overs.

There was a statistician’s delight as the only two bowlers used - Adam Ryszkowski and Ryan Allen - both finished with analyses of 5-37 from nine overs apiece.

The home team required less than 17 overs to take maximum points at 81-3, Daniel Cole (36 not out) seeing his team home.

Thornton, electing to bat against visiting Sowerby Bridge, got off to an excellent start and, with openers Jordan Croft (73) and Max Rawson (61) setting the pace, an onslaught was expected.

However, it never materialised, and wickets fell cheaply, especially between 86-0 and 141-6, and the innings closed on 199-7.

It proved enough though as the Bridge lost again, only replying with 147, Josh Hutchinson taking the last three wickets from his only four balls without conceding a run, all clean bowled.

In the top-versus-bottom clash in the First Division, leaders Great Horton Park Chapel were inserted by visiting Mytholmroyd and scored 198.

That total looked unlikely at 5-3, but the innings was then dominated by Fahad Shabbir (101), who hammered his maiden century in just 108 balls, Joe Kershaw closing with 4-58.

The Royd could only muster 103 in reply as Adam Beesley completed his 14-over allocation with 5-36.

Mytholmroyd are already in danger of being stranded at the bottom, having only recorded eight points thus far.

Low Moor Holy Trinity did not enjoy the opening overs on their trip to Augustinians, after being asked to bat.

They lost their first five wickets for only 20, with Muhammad Faiz claiming three of those for only eight runs in his ten overs.

Progress continued to be slow and the only batter to reach a two-digit score was No.9 Kaden Lancaster.

Even then his effort was at a snail’s pace, 11 runs in 44 balls, as Trinity were castled for 54, Faisal Bhatti taking the last five wickets for 11 runs.

Augustinians fared better, scoring somewhat quicker as they reached a winning 58-7 in 24.1 overs, despite James Overend taking 4-21.

Clayton’s signing of Andrew Deegan from Cleckheaton is already bringing dividends, and his 5-52 at Upper Hopton brought his season’s total to 16 wickets.

In the clash between the joint second-placed teams, Hopton only managed 117, with skipper Harvey Lockwood (44) the only batter making any real impression.

However, Jackroyd Lane is proving more than difficult to bat on this season, with both the two previously visiting first and second XIs failing to reach 90 runs – and it continued.

Clayton could only manage 87, with only two players reaching double figures, Charlie Gallagher taking 4-14.

In the Second Division, second-placed Southowram made a dreadful start at Ashday Lane against Queensbury.

They lost their first three wickets for just five runs after 33 balls, including the vital wicket of Dean Crossley for a third-ball duck, Joshua Baines finishing with 6-53.

However, No.7 Dylan Crossley (65), led a revival, well supported by Michael Jakeman (37) and Michael Drage (24), with the score advancing from a dubious-looking 48-6 to 172.

Queensbury just shaded the contest as they replied with 173-7 with 15 balls remaining.

Top efforts came from Bradley Gerrard-Harrison (41) and Gareth Walker (35), but five other batters made contributions to gain maximum points.

Cullingworth decided to take first knock in their home match against Mount.

Four batters reached scores in the twenties, but none progressed further and with the total at 140-9 the visitors were on top.

However, No.9 Phil Poole Jnr took the attack to the visitors and thrashed five sixes and four fours in a score of 65 off 57 balls that took the final total to 190.

His effort proved in vain though as Mount reached 192-7 in 39 overs, with Nazir Patel (62) top scoring, aided by three batters making twenties.

Elliot Robinson (4-14) was the best of the home team’s bowlers.

Oakworth’s Tom Raby recorded wonderful bowling figures of 7-39 from his 13 overs as the home team beat Leymoor by five wickets.

The visitors were sent in but could only reach 116, with Tom Sharp and Richard Walkden responsible for over half the total, scoring 31 each.

The home team were well on their way to maximum points at 71-0, but then lost five wickets for 27, including that of top scorer Dan Plummell (49).

They managed to reach the target at 117-5 however, despite Martin Allison’s best efforts (4-42).