East Bierley inflict first defeat on St Lawrence

James Ford made 69 as East Bierley eased to their victory target with seven wickets to spare, inflicting a first defeat on Pudsey St Lawrence.

Bierley recorded a superb seven-wicket win but second placed Woodlands were unable to take advantage as they suffered a 75-run defeat to New Farnley.

Awais Ejaz (4-19) and Haziq Tareen (3-50) combined to help dismiss St Lawrence for 179, despite the efforts of James Smith (46) and Matthew Duce (41).

Bierley openers James Ford (69) and Mark Gill (57) set the platform for Batley to ease home with six overs to spare.

Yorkshire’s James Middlebrook hit his second-successive century as New Farnley beat Woodlands.

Middlebrook struck two sixes and 10 fours in an unbeaten 120, while Mattie Good (53) helped share a 118-run first-wicket stand as Farnley made 274-5.

Woodlands were then restricted to 196 as Middlebrook (3-46) and fellow spinner Dave McCallum (5-51) impressed, despite Sam Frankland making an unbeaten 87.

St Lawrence remain 24 points clear of Woodlands ahead of Saturday’s top of the table clash, while Hanging Heaton are a further 14 points behind after beating bottom side Saltaire.

David Stiff claimed 5-28 and was supported by Ian Philliskirk (3-40) as Saltaire were dismissed for 144.

Tariq Mehboob (44) was Saltaire’s top scorer as Heaton’s bowlers dominated.

Heaton were reduced to 98-5 in reply but eased home with plenty to spare after Philliskirk (28no) and Josh Shaw (26no) shared an unbroken sixth wicket stand, while opener Nick Connolly had earlier top scored with 39.

Cleckheaton avenged an opening day defeat at the hands of Bradford and Bingley by inflicting a five-wicket defeat on the visitors to get the second half of the season off to a winning start

Iain Wardlaw (3-51) and Tanzeel Altaf (3-55) produced impressive spells as Bingley were bowled out for 190, despite the efforts of Scott Etherington (45) and David Clow (37).

Cleckheaton eased to victory with 13.5 overs to spare as Mally Nicholson made a half century.

Farsley climbed out of the bottom two with a seven-wicket win at Lightcliffe, a result which pushes their opponents into the relegation positions.

Captain Mark Harrison claimed 5-48 as Lightcliffe were restricted to 193-9.

Alex Stead (81) and Josh Wheatley (51) shared a 108-run opening partnership before all 10 wickets fell for 88 runs.

Jack Holland (64) and Dan Hodgson (82no) eased Farsley to victory and they also moved above Undercliffe, who suffered an agonising one wicket loss at home to Pudsey Congs, who hit the winning runs off the final ball of the match.