Oxenhope 249-9

Sowerby Bridge Church Institute (SBCI) 250-4

OXENHOPE crashed to a late six-wicket defeat to Sowerby Bridge Church Institute (SBCI) in the Spenser Wilson Halifax League Premier Division.

Oxenhope were indebted to a magnificent 140 from Lewis Hopkinson as they produced a competitive 249-8 in their 45 overs.

The next highest scorers were Luke Fleetwood with 20, Joe Ousey (21) and Tom Marshall (19 not out), as the two Bensons, Oliver and Ross, took four wickets each for the home side.

SBCI's controlled response saw several batters make important contributions with Lewis Firth (54) and Chris Dalby (41) to the fore.

But it was Simon Wood with an unbeaten 71 who saw the home side to victory as the under-strength Oxenhope bowling toiled in the heat to no avail.

Meanwhile, Oxenhope's second string lost to tehir Queensbury counterparts.

Oxenhope slipped to another defeat, despite posting a respectable score of 255-7 with Andrew Whitehead (54) Robin Cusdin (76) Johnny Holden (50) and Hamzah Khan (38no) all making major contributions.

Phil Sharples showed his all round skills with four wickets for the home side.

The Oxenhope bowlers failed to make any in-roads in to the home side batting order as Sharples (95) and Julian Kirkby (140no) ran riot to knock off the required runs with four overs to spare.

The visitors did not helping themselves by gifting 29 extras and two extra overs in wides and no balls.