Smashing an unbeaten 156 not out would be the highlight of most people's sporting weekend but not for Scott Ledger.

The 39-year-old former soldier from Royston has just begun his seventh season as an assistant referee in the Premier League and ran the line in Arsenal's win at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The world's most famous football league contrasts sharply with Division Six of the Pontefract Cricket League – in which he carried his bat in West Bretton 2nd XI's win over Barnsley 4th XI on Saturday.

"It was quite a tiring but enjoyable weekend," said Ledger, who now lives in Darton. "I batted all the way through then fielded for three hours then had to drive down to Croydon that night.  The game at Palace went well for me so it was a good weekend all round."

Ledger's 156 was his best ever cricket score and his second century of the season – both against Barnsley. He used to play cricket before he became a referee but was encouraged to take it up again by a friend last summer.

"It's a great release from the pressures of my job," said Ledger, who also opened the bowling on Saturday and sometimes plays for the first team.

"It's a different sport and a different mentality so it's a great chance to have fun with my mates, although I am naturally competitive so I always want to win.  I do get a few cheeky comments from people who know me and, when I play against new teams, you can always tell if there are one or two who recognise me. West Bretton is a wonderful club with a really good pitch which is good for batting on.  We need some more players to keep the second team going and we are always looking for new recruits."

Ledger has had an unusual route to the top of football officiating. He joined the army in 1997 but, after being stationed in London then Germany, sustained a major shoulder injury playing in an armed forces football match and left the army in 2002 following several operations. His arm was still in a sling when he turned up to watch local side Royston Ring'O'Bells play in the Barnsley Sunday League but ended up getting involved after the scheduled referee did not turn up.

Ledger said: "I refereed my first game in the Barnsley Sunday League with my arm in a sling and wearing a yellow Barnsley kit from the 80s. I loved it."

Ledger soon achieved the necessary qualifications and, while working part-time as a postman, made his way up through the non-league divisions and the Football League until he was made a Premier League official in 2009. The match at Selhurst Park on Sunday was his 215th in the Premier League while he also ran the line at the 2013 Capital One Cup final – in which Swansea beat Bradford 5-0 – as well as in the Europa League and international friendlies.

He said: "I feel really fortunate to have spent so long in the Premier League.  If it hadn't have been for that ref not turning up, I would probably still be a postman and managing a Sunday League team, which would have still been a good life but very different to what I am doing now."

Ledger is a 'specialist assistant' meaning he no longer referees but is a full-time, professional linesman. Another official from Barnsley, Little Houghton's Darren England, has taken a different route this season as he has swapped being a Premier League linesman for being a referee in the Football League with the hope of making his way back to the top flight.

Ledger said: "It was quite unique to have two assistant referees in the Premier League from such a small town like Barnsley. I am still flying the flag for Barnsley and Darren will hopefully come back to the Premier League as a referee in the near future." Ledger will also be refereeing in the Barnsley Sunday League this season when his Premier League duties are on a Saturday.

He said: "I like to help the Barnsley Sunday League out. It helps keep my feet on the ground and I understand the players because I used to play at that level. I really appreciated the referees when I played and they are very important."