Impressive Woodlands boost their chances of league and cup double
Woodlands enjoyed a terrific weekend as they made progress in league and cup.
A 41-run win over early season pacesetters Pudsey St Lawrence lifted them to second place in the Bradford Cricket League’s Premier Division and they followed up a day later by reaching the semi-finals of the Bentley Drains Priestley Cup with a 10-wicket hammering of Carlton.
Opener Mosun Hussain hit his first league century of the season to power Woodlands to 245-5 in a rain reduced 34-over contest with St Lawrence.
Hussain made 105 from 99 balls, including four sixes and 13 fours, while Brad Schmulian also contributed 74 as he shared in a second wicket stand of 103 with Hussain.
Pudsey had a go at reaching the tough target, but fell short as they were kept to 204-7 with Muhammad Bilal taking 4-62.
Woodlands raced to a 10-wicket win at Carlton in the cup on Sunday after bowling their opponents out for just 50.
Spinners Henry Pearson (4-8) and Brad Schmulian (3-10) did much of the damage before Bilal blasted five sixes and two fours as he scored 43no from 20 balls to power Woodlands to victory in just 4.5 overs.
In the Bradford League’s Division One Hanging Heaton’s challenge was set back as they lost by 89 runs to leaders Sandal.
Only Tom Lindsay (39no) and Bradley Wood (28) offered much resistance as they were bowled out for 136 in reply to Sandal’s 225-9.
Defeat was tough on bowlers Upul Indrasiri (5-53) and Umar Farooq (3-53).
East Bierley remain bottom of the table after losing a rain reduced contest with Yeadon.
They lost by four wickets after making 146-5 from 26 overs with Danny Cross hitting 36, Farakh Hussain 28 and Paul Martin 26.
Batley dropped into the bottom two following an 86-run defeat at Lightcliffe.
They were made to pay for a disappointing batting display which saw them being bowled out for 130 in reply to 216-9. Arbaab Hussain (19) top scored.
Lightcliffe made a flying start when they batted first in the 30-over contest before losing wickets chasing quick runs. Mohammed Bhoola (5-37) and Kanishk Dalal (3-54) were the pick of the bowlers.
Birstall were all out for 118 in reply to 198-5 as they lost to Ossett. Nick Kaye and Waseem Liaqat both hit 26.
Heckmondwike and Carlinghow delivered a dominant performance to defeat Hopton Mills by 125 runs in Division Three.
They amassed 271, with Ubaid Altaf hitting 79, Wajid Hussain 60 and Sadaqat Zaman delivering a late assault with 36 off 22 balls.
The Hopton Mills bowling was led by Joshua Turner (4-57) and Mubashar Hussain (4-47), but their reply was dismantled by an outstanding spell from Mustafa Bhatti, who claimed 6-42, while Umaid Sajjad (3-49) provided excellent support.
Despite 37 from Connor Heywood, 34 by Adam Siddique and Hussain’s 29no Mills were bowled out for 146.