Sarfraz hits out to earn narrow victory

Sarfraz smashed seven sixes and eight fours and was supported by Grant Soames (32) as Woodlands overhauled the home side’s 181-7, which included a fine 87 from Gavin Hamilton.

Reduced overs contests were the order of the day but there was no shortage of excitement. Bradford & Bingley beat Undercliffe by one wicket with a bye off the final ball, Baildon defeated Pudsey St Lawrence by two runs and Division Two leaders Lightcliffe tied with Yeadon.

By contrast, championship chasers Cleckheaton and Pudsey Congs both had emphatic victories. Cleckheaton had a nine-wicket win with pacemen James Lee (5-29) and John Wood (4-5) bowling out Manningham Mills for just 74.

Pudsey Congs’ overseas fast bowler Muhammad Naved took 6-34 as they defeated Gomersal by 68 runs. Greg Pickles (42) and Shabbir Rashid (35) top-scored as Gomersal were dismissed for 148 after Congs had made 216-5.

Eugene Burzler (82), Adam Patel (40), Andrew Bairstow (38no) and Mark Gill (35) all made important contributions for third-placed Congs, who trail Woodlands by 19 points and Cleckheaton by four.

Gomersal are 14 points adrift at the bottom following Baildon’s two-run win over Pudsey St Lawrence. Tom Smallwood took two wickets in the final over as St Lawrence finished on 145-9 in reply to Baildon’s 147-8. Tabbi Bhatti’s 47 not out proved crucial for Baildon.

Opening bowler Chris Henry (4-41) and spinner Lorenzo Ingram (4-8) dismissed Hanging Heaton for 107 as fourth-placed Farsley secured a 22-run win.

Skipper John Carruthers (4-31) and leg-spinner Mark Lawson (3-28) had earlier helped bowl out Farsley for 129

Former Yorkshire batsman Chris Taylor hit an unbeaten 100 as Division Two leaders Lightcliffe finished on 184-5 to tie with Yeadon.