McCarthy achieves 1,000-wicket feat

JCT 600 Bradford Richard McCarthy became the 16th bowler to take 1,000 Bradford League wickets as he bowled Bradford & Bingley to a 145-run win at Saltaire

He took the four wickets he needed to reach the landmark in a spell of 4-22 as Bradford & Bingley stepped up their title challenge with a 145-run win at Saltaire.

McCarthy, in his 21st season with the club, helped his side skittle Saltaire for 86 in reply to 244-5, a score which owed much to Sri Lankan Naweed Ghany's 86.

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Afterwards, 48-year-old McCarthy, said: "I was very much aware of the target at the start of the season – there were enough people around me to remind me.

"It hasn't been easy the past two years after picking up a few injuries and to be honest I didn't do the work I should have done to keep fit while I wasn't playing. But, it is going well again for me and I'm pleased to get to this target at last.

The win keeps Bradford & Bingley (258 pts) in third place but they have a game in hand of the top two, Pudsey St Lawrence (273) and Woodlands (272).

Fifth-placed Pudsey Congs (250), who beat leaders Pudsey St Lawrence by 48 runs, also have a game in hand.

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Babar Butt (55no) and Adam Patel (45) revived their side after the loss of early wickets and helped them to 223-7. Then seam bowlers Alex Hewitt (4-23) and Eugene Burzler (4-57) bowled out the leaders for 175.

Fourth-placed East Bierley had a one-run victory at Cleckheaton, Muhammad Azharullah was their match winner. He hammered 61 as they recovered from 75-6 to make 228-9. Ninth-wicket pair Paul Hutchison (38) and Luke Jarvis (33) added 75.

Cleckheaton were given a rousing start as captain John Wood blasted 100 in an opening stand of 135 with Mark Cummins (38) before they faltered against Azharullah (4-61) and Jarvis

(4-60) and lost their last three wickets when needing two to win.

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Safraz Ahmed (4-23 and Chris Brice (3-29) helped bowl out Farsley for 138 as Wooldands won by 71 runs. Opener Sam Frankland made 85 for Woodlands.

Bankfoot's relegation was confirmed when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Undercliffe.

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