All but one game washed out in Halifax Cricket League

The one exception, where a Mirfield meteorological miracle spared that area from most of the downpours, allowed the First Division clash between Upper Hopton and Great Horton PC to go ahead in a 31 overs per team encounter.

Great Horton won the toss and elected to field and soon had Hopton in trouble at 47-5. Dominic Anderson (2-31) and Harry Cunningham (3-18) were enjoying the overhead conditions as five batsmen were climbing the numerous dressing room steps from the oval very quickly.

Matt Broadbent (35) and Matthew Haigh (36 not out) staged a mini-recovery putting on 58 runs for the sixth wicket before Broadbent was bowled by Adam Beesley.

Haigh added some extra runs as the innings closed on 122-8 after 31 overs. With Edward Kay claiming the scalp of opener Haris Butt, at 3-1, Hopton hopes were raised but it was a false dawn. Horton opener and wicketkeeper Ricky Hassall (47 not out) was joined by skipper Beesley (61 not out) and they completed the 11-point return in just 21 overs – a unbeaten partnership of 117 runs.

As the Horton players travelled back to Bradford, in the rain. they marvelled at the fact that not only had they donned whites but that they were now the division’s table-toppers.

Premier Division: All matches no play: Booth v Mytholmroyd. *Bradshaw v Illingworth St Mary’s. *Sowerby Bridge v Copley. *Thornton v SBCI. Triangle v Blackley. *Warley v Shelf Northowram HT

First Division: No play: *Low Moor HT v Clayton & *Oxenhope v Mount. *Upper Hopton 122-8, Great Horton PC 126-1 (Beesley 61no, Hassall 47no): pts 1-11.

Second Division: All matches no play: *Cullingworth v Southowram. *Greetland v Stones. *Leymoor v Bradley & Colnebridge. *Outlane v Augustinians.