Lee’s pace proves too much for leaders

BRADFORD

Bradford & Bingley’s lead at the top of Division One was cut to two points after they suffered a four-wicket defeat against Cleckheaton.

Yorkshire paceman James Lee took 4-75 as Bradford & Bingley, despite the efforts of Naweed Ghany (79) and David Clow (43) were bowled out for 207 in 47.1 overs.

Mark Cummins (74no), John Wood (50) and Marcus Walmsley (40) took Cleckheaton to victory in the first of the extra overs they gained for dismissing Bradford & Bingley. Cleckheaton’s win lifted them off the bottom.

Lorenzo Ingram took his tally of league runs to 569, but was out for only the second time for 49 as second-placed Farsley overhauled Pudsey St Lawrence’s 252-4.

Captain Ian Philliskirk led Farsley’s run chase with a fine 89, and opener Steve Simpson made 42.

It was a third successive league defeat for St Lawrence, who had built their total around the scores of Mark Robertshaw (83), Adam Waite (61), Chris Marsden (45) and Gareth Clough (36no).

Two teams emerging as growing threats are East Bierley and Woodlands.

Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Ismail Dawood made 80 in East Bierley’s 211-9 as they defeated his old club Hanging Heaton by 55 runs. Opener Gharib Razak made 56.

Dawood’s younger brother Imran top scored with 36 as Hanging Heaton were dismissed for 156.

Woodlands cruised to a fourth straight league win with captain Pieter Swanepoel taking 5-47 as they skittled Baildon for 89 to secure a 75-run victory. Adam Goldthorpe (46no), Sam Frankland (41) and Scott Richardson (40) were the top scorers in Woodlands 164, while Mushtaq Ahmed (4-24) and Richard Atkins (4-65) were Baildon’s best bowlers.

Overseas player Imran Khalid took 4-43 as Gomersal, despite 59 from Ben Platt, were bowled out for 173. Khalid followed up with 65 as Manningham Mills eased to victory.

Undercliffe, thanks to 84 from Yorkshire’s Callum Geldart and 59 not out from Nawaz Sardar made 244-5 before bowling out champions Pudsey Congs for 199 despite 67 from Babar Butt.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Following their inept showing against champions Whitley Hall the previous week, Treeton recovered some self-esteem when decisively beating guests Rockingham.

The Premier Division’s top all-rounder, Steve Foster, proved in great form.

He blasted Rockingham’s bowling for 119, which included 19 boundaries – Danny Kemp adding 70 – then he claimed 5-28 as the visitors fell for 151 despite 64 from Mark Wilkinson.

After an indifferent start to their season, Elsecar took heart from their result against Wickersley after being set a 261-4 target – Gareth Davis reaching 108, including 16 boundaries, and newcomer Christi Vilgoen hitting an unbeaten 77.

The Armroyd Lane side were up to the task, replying with 263-4, opener Ainsley Swallow cracking 74 and all-rounder Chathura Athukorala making an unbeaten half-century to follow his three-wicket stint.

Bradfield enjoyed their best result to date, toppling Hallam for 171 and going on to a three-wicket victory. Richard Neal struck a half-century in the Hallam tally, but knocks of 68 not out from Matt McGillvary and 51 from Daryl Williams saw Bradfield safely home.

The other century-maker in the top flight was Houghton Main’s Steve Secker with a fine 111 of his side’s 233-5 at Aston Hall. Ashley Vickers chipped in with 56, Aston clinging on at 185-9 to avoid outright defeat, Rob Ward making 54 as Syad Asif claimed 5-58.

Whitley Hall collected 233-5 at Barnsley, early knocks of 49 from Jim Tasker and 45 from Alex Fletcher followed by an unbeaten 67 by Jaco Castle. Barnsley never threatened, closing on 134-7, teenager Jake Malkin hitting 64.

A fine match at Whiston saw the hosts making 254-7, Sahail Awan striking 75 and Pete Wilson 44, before visitors Wath took the points with their 256-4 reply. They had reached 148-1 with knocks of 92 from opener Vinay Devishetty and 68 from partner James Barnard.

Division One side Coal Aston made the day’s top score of 292-6 to outpoint Rotherham.

CENTRAL YORKSHIRE

WAKEFIELD Thornes continued their climb in the Premier Division with their fourth straight league win by beating Hunslet Nelson by six runs.

Chasing 201-7 that included 50 from Jordan Anderson, Hunslet collapsed from 148-4 to 195 all out. Joe Smith (59) and Andrew McIntosh (51) led Hunslet’s reply.

Unbeaten Methley retained a five-point lead with a nine-wicket win at Wakefield St Michael’s, who were routed for 56, the top-flight’s lowest total this season.

Wrenthorpe and New Farnley maintained their challenges.

Oliver Whittaker hit 18 boundaries in a century off 107 balls as Wrenthorpe posted 254 against Birstall, who were sent reeling from 53-1 to 116 all out by David Paynter (4-18), Joe Ellis (2-32) and Neil Gill (2-14).

Steve Blackburn (81) and Ian Fisher (5-46) steered Farnley to a 104-run victory against winless bottom side Ossett.

Townville’s slide continued with their third successive league defeat when they lost at Mirfield Parish Cavaliers.

Graeme Winn (4-36) and Daniel Hope (3-31) toppled Townville for 161, replying to Cavaliers’ 209 that featured an unbeaten 83 by Milan Gunarathne.

Northowram Fields halted their slump with their first win since they beat Ossett on the opening day.

Mark Gilliver (72), Chris Thompson (3-31) and Jason Smith (3-30) guided Northowram to a five-wicket success at Altofts.

A last-wicket stand of 46 between Jordan Sleightholme (48) and David Robson (10no) was in vain for Altofts.

All-rounder Phil Page struck a half-century and bagged 3-10 as Carlton retained top spot in Division One by beating Ossett.

Thomas Taylor (60no) and Chris Kippax (3-41) also contributed to Carlton’s eight-wicket win which kept them one point ahead of Liversedge, who crushed East Leeds.

Max Power (117) put on 129 with David Bolt (84) and shared a 142-run stand with South African David Winter (79) as Liversedge made 312-4. Simon Kay (5-39) and Stephen Lane (3-28) skittled winless East Leeds for 112 in reply.