Six still involved in battle for the crown

Victories for Cleckheaton, Farsley, Pudsey Congs, East Bierley and Undercliffe mean that the top six are covered by just 29 points.

Scott Richardson’s second century in three matches was crucial for Woodlands. He made 107 and shared valuable partnerships with Sam Frankland (49), Simon Mason (53) and big-hitting Sarfraz Ahmed (52) as Woodlands made 293-4 before dismissing Hanging Heaton for 156.

The rapid scoring of captain John Wood (93) and James Lee (52no) helped Cleckheaton post 264-6 as they defeated bottom team Gomersal by 57 runs.

Even an aggressive innings of 63 by 16-year-old Jack Seddon and 41 from Danny Lloyd could not save Gomersal from defeat.

Twenty-year-old Joe Greaves hit his second century of the season as Farsley defeated relegation-threatened Baildon by nine-wickets. Greaves made an unbeaten 104 as he joined captain Ian Philliskirk (71no) in an unbroken second-wicket stand of 174 as Farsley raced past a Baildon score of 211 in which Ahsan Butt made 50.

The shadow of champions Pudsey Congs is beginning to loom large in the title race.

Opener Mark Gill (75) and captain Andrew Bairstow (45no) steered their side to 200-8, then paceman Muhammad Naved took 4-27 as Bradford & Bingley were bowled out for 159.

East Bierley survived a scare at Tofts Road before emerging with a six-run win. Pudsey St Lawrence’s ninth-wicket pair of Iain Priestley (95no) and Andy Parratt (24no) shared an unbroken stand of 93 from just 44 balls, but East Bierley just clung on to win. East Bierley had posted 238-6 with openers Gavin Hamilton (78) and Gharib Razak (70) in form.

Undercliffe defeated Manningham Mills by nine runs. Yorkshire paceman Moin Ashraf took 4-61 and Undercliffe overseas professional Nawaz Sardar took 3-22 in 14.5 overs. Gulsheraz Ahmed (80) and Zeeshan Qasim (33) pulled Mills round from 67-5 in reply to Undercliffe’s 204-8.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE: Premier Division leaders Whitley Hall topped the 300 mark for the second week in succession but were beaten by former champions Elsecar in a game with a match aggregate of 621 runs.

The Baxter Field club had no thoughts of defeat when hammering their way to 310-8, South African Jaco Castle powering 97 with six fours and six sixes, and Andy Bethel adding a half-century, but they were shocked when Elsecar struck back with 311-5, with unbeaten centuries from opener Ainsley Swallow and Luke Townsend.

This was Whitley’s first league defeat of the season.

Houghton Main batsman Ian Simon played a tremendous innings at Wickersley.

Out of 245, Simon made 169, including 11 fours and 16 sixes. He gave only one chance and that when he had passed the 150 mark. Wickersley came close at 228-8, rescued from a shaky 96-6 by second-teamers Richard Harrison (58) and junior Kristian Lee-Green (53).

Treeton got back to winning form when scoring 167 at Bradfield, Hennie Swart claiming four wickets for the hosts, who failed with the bat, falling for 116 with Umaid Asif bagging 5-49 and Steve Foster 3-21.

Barnsley had two wickets in hand after passing Whiston’s 163, opener Andy Harrison hitting 34 for the losers. Barnsley’s Oliver Hannon-Dalby claimed 5-33. Barnsley’s promising youngster Steve Walters set his side on the way with a knock of 41, against the bowling of Steve Taylor (4-48), and Andy Winstanley (3-33).

Rockingham polished off hosts Hallam for 139, only opener Humphrey Emery staying for long, with 56. Andy Shore returned 5-39 for the Rocks, who replied with 139-6, Ben Dalton hitting an unbeaten half-century.

Aston Hall contained guests Wath to 137-8, Andy Hirst cracking a late 53, and went on to win at 141-4.

There were centuries for Rotherham opener Jon Allan (103) against Wickersley B, Wath B’s Joe Thompson (107) in the victory over Collegiate B and Dearne opener Kyle Humphrys (125) against Mexborough.

SOLLY CENTRAL YORKSHIRE: OPENER Eric Austin hit 130 as Premier Division champions Wrenthorpe retained top spot by trouncing Hunslet Nelson.

Austin put on 134 with Greg Batty and shared a century stand with Bradley Parker, who smashed seven sixes in an unbeaten 91 off 42 balls, as Wrenthorpe made 316-4.

Neil Gill (3-31) and Gary Fellows (3-35) toppled Hunslet for 178, despite Andy McIntosh’s defiant half-century.

Wrenthorpe stayed two points clear of Methley, who inflicted Wakefield Thornes’ third straight defeat.

An unbroken 115-run partnership between Hamid Khan (73no) and Mark Atkinson (35no) guided Methley to an eight-wicket win after Hemantha Alles (3-23), Simon Purdy (2-31) and Chris Smith (2-20) skittled Thornes for 134.

New Farnley maintained their challenge by crushing Townville.

Australian Aaron Schier finished unbeaten on 44 as Farnley recovered from 93-6 to post 202-8.

Nicky Johnson (4-20), David McCallum (3-32) and Ian Fisher (2-9) routed Townville for 72 in reply.

Birstall, champions in 2008, slipped deeper into relegation trouble with a six-wicket defeat at Altofts. Indian opener Connor Williams (46) gave Birstall a solid start before Brent Law (4-45), James Logan (2-20) and Altaf Patal (2-50) sent them collapsing from 44-1 to 157 all out.

Opener Alan Burton struck an unbeaten 89 off 87 balls as Altofts knocked off the runs in 33.3 overs.

Northowram Fields climbed above fellow strugglers Birstall and Wakefield Thornes with a 120-run success at winless bottom team Ossett.

St Michael’s revival ended when they lost by one wicket to Mirfield PC, for whom Michael Padgett (51no) and Reece Drake (14no) shared a match-winning unbroken last wicket stand of 29.

Carlton, Liversedge, Buttershaw St Paul’s and Moorlands maintained their promotion bids.

Phil Page (45), Chris Kippax (5-49) and Jonathan Rudge (4-52) steered Carlton to a 42-run win against East Ardsley.

David Bolt (83) and Max Power (78) shared a 111-run stand in Liversedge’s 281-8 against Ossett who were bowled out for 119.