O'Malley guides Elland to victory

The visiting batsmen struggled from the start, quickly losing their openers, but it was change bowlers Alastair Finn (3-18) and Peter Dobson (3-13) who did most of the damage as the visitors were dismissed for 91.

Elland had a scare at the start of their reply when Greg Alexander (0), Liam Fletcher (0) and Tom Gledhill (5) departed in quick succession.

However, Ciaran O’Malley, a Kiwi with a UK passport, made a fine start for Finn’s side with an unbeaten 41 to anchor Elland to victory.

His main support came from the experienced Paul Winrow, who fell for 28 with victory in sight.

Barkisland’s game at Clayton West and Rastrick’s match at home to Almondbury Wesleyans fell victim to waterlogged pitches.

Lightliffe’s wait for some Bradford League action proved an anti-climax as they were swept aside by visitors Pudsey St Lawrence in the Premier Division.

The Wakefield Road men were raring to go after the postponement of the opening programme but they were skittled for 94 at home to Saints after being sent in to bat.

Niall Lockley 34) and the returning Josh Wheatley (16) helped them to 55 for one after the loss of the prolific Alex Stead for three with the total on six.

However, the departure of the pair in quick succession led to a procession of batsmen coming and going with Richie Lamb (5-28) and visiting skipper Chris Marsden (4-18) slicing through the home ranks.

Saints openers Adam Waite (39no) and Mark Robertshaw (36) put on 74 before Wheatley dismissed the latter but Saints romped to a nine wicket win inside 20 overs.

The Championship Two derby between Brighouse and Northowram was one of four games in that section which failed to start after Friday’s heavy rain but Northowram won the second team game by 31 runs at Westercroft Lane.