Cleckheaton regroup to retain the crown

Cleckheaton are celebrating after winning their second-successive league title with one match to go. They ensured that the trophy would be staying at Moorend with a comfortable 114-run win at Farsley.

There was no hangover from their Priestley Cup final defeat by Pudsey St Lawrence as they made 220-8 with opener Andy Gorrod (47) and captain John Wood (35) leading the way as off-spinner Mark Harrison took 5-78.

Farsley were reduced to 16-4 as former Yorkshire paceman James Lee took 3-10. Leg-spinner Tanzeel Afzal claimed 5-39 as Farsley were all out for 106.

Second-placed Woodlands were involved in their second tie. This time it was against Pudsey St Lawrence.

Adam Waite, man of the match in the cup final, made an unbeaten 89 and needed to score six from the last two balls of the match from Scott Richardson to win the game. The opener struck the penultimate delivery for four but could only manage a single from the next one as St Lawrence finished on 201-7, in reply to the Woodlands total of 201-9.

Waite had shared in a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 119 with James Smith. They rescued their side from 34-3 as Sarfraz Ahmed (4-32) posed problems.

The highlight of the Woodlands innings was opener Sam Frankland’s 100, while off-spinner Steve Watts (5-49) was St Lawrence’s best bowler.

The tie has dented St Lawrence’s chances of finishing third because their three rivals, Hanging Heaton (222 points), New Farnley (218) and Bradford & Bingley (216) all won. St Lawrence have 215 points.

Hanging Heaton’s former Yorkshire player Gary Fellows hit 106 to help his side to post 218-9 against East Bierley, who they dismissed for 150.