Lane wind-down with title in bag

Only eight overs of play took place in the Premier Division yesterday, due to rain, meaning two points for all 12 sides and confirming Lane as winners again with one round of fixtures still to go.

Mick Hustler’s Lane had reached 14 for none off three overs at home to Thornton when the game was washed out and Blackley were four without loss off five overs at second-placed Booth when play was halted.

Oxenhope were 10 for one off two overs away to Division One leaders SBCI, who remain seven points ahead of Queensbury in the title race. Queensbury were unable to take the field at home to Clayton.

Outlane were unable to play at home to Northowram Hedge Top, confirming that the hosts will drop to Division Two.

There was more play among the second teams and although Warley were frustrated by the weather at home to Booth, they were still crowned Premier champions.

Craig Brennan’s side had earlier won the Crossley Shield.

Fifth-placed Jer Lane seconds managed to return from Northowram with five points after making 182 for six in the 21 overs possible. A bowling point gave Northowram three in total and slightly improved their survival hopes.

Mytholmroyd, beaten in the Shield final, gave themselves a great chance of promotion in the middle section by beating Low Moor in a 25 over contest.

Moor made 168 for four with the help of an opening stand of 133 from Simon Howard (64) and Ryan Williamson (62) but father and son Jon (60 no) and Tom Russell (87 no) put on 157 for an eight-wicket win worth eight points.

Southowram have run away with the title but a couple more points next weekend will give ‘Royd second place.

Bridgeholme seconds are promoted in Division Two and could yet catch leaders Greetland.

The Eastwood side bowled out visitors Luddenden Foot for 84 and Keith Hudson (30 no) and Zach Harris (38 no) knocked off the runs without loss. Harris had earlier taken five for nine.