Oxenhope 288-8

Southowram 172 all out

OXENHOPE confirmed their Spenser Wilson Halifax League Premier Division status with a convincing win at Southowaram.

Batting first, the visitors got off to an excellent start as Josh Fleetwood (57) and Eddie Jackson (31) set the platform.

However, three wickets from Ian Gledhill changed the game as they were reduced to 112-5.

Enter Lewis Hopkinson, who smashed his way to 103 with 13 fours and five sixes, to take the total to a challenging 288-8 in the 45 overs.

The home side never really threatened this total with Dean Crossley top scoring on 41 as Liam Dyson (5-41) and Scott Mallinson (3-80) secured the 12-point victory.

Meanwhile, a second-consecutive 12-point haul saw Oxenhope seconds move clear of the relegation places and a further win next could see them move up to a creditable third place in the league.

Up against a predominantly-youthful Stones side, the hosts posted a formidable total of 286-5 with Alex Blenard (67), Brendan Ellison (82), and Luke Fleetwood (53) amongst the runs, as Ethan Mosey bowled 12 tidy overs to return figures of 46-2.

In reply, Mosey showed his potential as an all rounder, top scoring with 18 before being run out.

Only Adam Horner (20) and Laurence Pearson (10) reached double figures, as the visitors were despatched for just 106, having no answer to the pace of Jonathan Holden, who took 5-25 in his 10-over opening spell.