Northowram have handsome lead

John Lister’s side had to contend with several rain stoppages but their efforts in taking the covers on and off were eventually rewarded.

The lowly visitors showed a lack of ambition and laboured to 81 for seven off 27 overs with Zafar Khan taking three for 28.

Fields were forced to go for broke in short spells of play between showers and gave away wickets along the way, Lister hitting a big six over mid-wicket and a four off the next delivery to take them to the brink of a victory which was achieved in 14.4 overs.

Second place Great Preston didn’t start and third-placed Buttershaw St Paul’s, who have played two games fewer than the Rams, lost to Heckmondwike & Carlinghow.

In the Premier, Scholes had the better of what play was possible against Lightcliffe ahead of today’s cup meeting between the sides.

Left-armer Christian Jackson (5-53) and skipper James Stansfield (3-36) bowled out Lightcliffe for 135 and the bottom side were 99 for four and on course for victory when play was abandoned.

Visiting skipper Alex Stead, who hit 65 and then took three of the wickets to fall, again lacked support.

Brighouse were on the back foot against Spen Victoria at Russell Way when the Championship B fixture fell victim to the weather.

Brighouse made 142 for nine off 30 overs with Zafar Jadoon’s 38 the top contribution.

Spen Victoria then raced to 61 for one off 11, with Kiwi Nick Montgomery 31 not out.

Illingworth lost in the rain at Skipton. Put into pat on a green wicket, Illingworth made a positive start with Daniel Murfet and James Lawton scoring freely.

When both openers were out in quick succession, only Matthew Smith (54) stuck around with the bat and a total of 147 looked below par.

In reply, Illingworth made an early breakthrough with Jamie Moorhouse trapping Sam Moore leg before.

A solid partnership featuring some big hits from South African Pieter Coetzer guided Skipton closer to the target.

The match was halted three times due to showers and despite Luke Brooksby picking up two wickets on his return to bowling after injury, Skipton got home comfortably.

The defeat leaves Illingworth in the relegation zone, although they will be playing in the Halifax League next year.

Elland stayed in the drop zone in the Huddersfield League’s top flight when they lost by 56 runs at Skelmanthorpe.

The home side were all out for 179 in the 35th over with Chris Walker (four for 41) and Josh Dallimore (three for 39) the most successful bowlers.

Robin Broom made 30 and Ali Nadeem 25 but the middle to late order found it hard going against Amar Rashid (five for 20) and Elland were all out for 123.

No play was possible at Barkisland, where Scholes were the visitors.

All of yesterday’s Lancashire League games were called off and that was particularly frustrating for Todmorden, who were due to host bottom side Bacup.

One player no doubt champing at the bit was Tod’s Aussie Ashton Turner, who had hit 101 in the club’s 56-run T20 win over holders Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday.

The Centre Vale men host East Lancs in Friday’s semi-final with Rishton meeting Church in the other game.

Norden were 107 for three off 20 overs, with South African Michael Price out for 56, when the Pennine League game at Walsden was ended by bad weather.