Woodlands take advantage of rivals’ slip up to take over top spot
The Premier Division title race took another surprising twist with Woodlands taking over at the top following Townville’s shock defeat to fourth from bottom Jer Lane in the Bradford Cricket League.
They looked to have a challenge on their hands when Farsley’s innings was launched with an opening stand of 117 between Rahul Tangirala (52) and Sabir Mahmood (91). But they fought back to dismiss them for 236 as Henry Pearson (3-41), Brad Schmulian (3-59) and Muhammad Bilal (3-74) got to work.
The reply was not without its alarms as Woodlands were reduced to 64-3. However, Tim Jackson produced the composed innings his side required, making an unbeaten 80, while Noah Priestley (33) and Pearson (29) provided valuable support as they reached their target with more than four overs to spare.
Batley were unable to halt the run of Division One leaders Yeadon as overseas player Muhammad Sarwar hit an unbeaten 153 in the table toppers’ big 314-6 total.
Despite batting gamely in their reply Batley fell 102 runs short on 212-6 with Aadam Hussain leading the resistance with 79no and Daanyaal Hussain adding 37 in a 110-run fifth wicket partnership.
The most remarkable recovery of the day came when Undercliffe bounced back from 24-5 to defeat East Bierley by 67 runs.
Overseas player Faizan Zafar transformed the innings with 143 from just 106 deliveries, sharing a match-defining sixth-wicket stand of 214 with Mohammed Suleman, who made 66. Their partnership lifted Undercliffe to 305 despite another good bowling display from Asad Raza (6-80).
Bierley responded positively through Ben Heritage's 60, Adam Brown's 32 and Abdullah Khan’s 28, but they were all out for 238.
Hanging Heaton’s promotion hopes took a knock as they lost by 98 runs to Lightcliffe.
Jordan Laban’s 111 helped the hosts to 278-5 and Heaton never looked like chasing down the runs as they were all out for 180 with Christodoulos Bogdanos hitting 36, Umar Farooq 29, Kasir Maroof 27 and Myles Wood 26.
Birstall enjoyed a six-wicket win over Crossflatts after an inspired all-round performance from overseas player Sharoon Siraj.
First, he claimed outstanding figures of 7-42 as Crossflatts were dismissed for 169, before blasting an unbeaten 89, including nine sixes, to steer Birstall comfortably to their target in just 32.4 overs. Nick Kaye also chipped in with 28.
Crossbank Methodists were well beaten by eight wickets by Wakefield St Michael’s in Division Three after they were dismissed for 168 despite 47 from Faizan Haider and 25 by Ubaid Rehman.