Mount stun leaders with magnificent cup display

Mount recorded a 13-run victory in a tense finish to inflict a first defeat of the season on Heckmondwike as the Staincliffe side reached the semi-finals.

Mount were struggling on 85-7 until Ibrahim Badat hit a quickfire 54 to steer the visitors to 164 all out.

Heckmondwike appeared in control, having reached 65-2 in reply before tight bowling but the brake on and wickets began to fall.

Heckmondwike required 17 runs from the final over, with the last pair at the crease, but could only manage four as Mount reached the semi-finals.

It proved to be a double celebration for Mount, as their B team defeated Upper Hopton B to reach the Tinker Cup semi-finals.

Mount B won the toss and put Upper Hopton into bat and they were dismissed for 125 thanks to Abdul Ravat’s 4-15.

Mount B cruised to their target without losing a wicket as Imran Kayat (62no) and Ashraf Karolia (60no) steered them to the semi-finals.

Upper Hopton maintained their unbeaten start in the Huddersfield Central League Premier Section with a convincing six-wicket victory over bottom side Crossbank Methodists last Saturday.

Luke Harrington led the Hopton assault with 5-20 and with support from George Brazier (4-23), Crossbank were bowled out for just 87.

Despite missing six regular first team players, Will Smeaton saw Hopton home with a fine 38 with support from Asif Nawaz (27 no).

Hopton lie fifth in the table having won three of their opening seven matches but would surely be challenging league leaders Heckmondwike and Carlinghow had they not had their other four games abandoned.

Heckmondwike’s lead at the top was cut to nine points last week as Green Moor defeated Woolley.

Heckmondwike have a game in hand on their closest rivals after sitting out last week’s matches and they remain unbeaten after seven games, having won four and seen three matches abandoned.

Mount moved up to sixth place, just behind Upper Hopton, following a six-wicket win over Old Almondburians.

Junaid Delair claimed a hat-trick on his way to figures of 5-16 as Almondbury were bowled out for 133.

Mount eased to 135-4 in reply, with Imran Patel top scoring on 54.

Mount B earned a six-wicket win over Denby Grange A in Section A.

Bashir Sidat claimed 7- 35 as Denby were dismissed for 96 before Ashraf Karolia (52) steered Mount to a comfortable win.

Heckmondwike and Carlinghow will be out to avenge last Sunday’s cup defeat when they return to league action at home to Mount.

Crossbank entertain Silkstone, Upper Hopton travel to Edgerton and Dalton, while Mount B entertrain Crigglestone A in Section A.