Nicholson hits form in welcome win for Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton ended a five-match winless run in the All Rounder Bradford Premier League with victory over Lightcliffe last Saturday.
Morleys Matthew Baxter is caught by East Bierley wicketkeeper James Ford off the bowling of Matthew Lumb for nought. Pictures: Steve RidingMorleys Matthew Baxter is caught by East Bierley wicketkeeper James Ford off the bowling of Matthew Lumb for nought. Pictures: Steve Riding
Morleys Matthew Baxter is caught by East Bierley wicketkeeper James Ford off the bowling of Matthew Lumb for nought. Pictures: Steve Riding

Cleckheaton had begun to anxiously look over their shoulders but their four-wicket win saw John Wood’s men move sixth in the table.

Lightcliffe’s innings was dominated by captain Alex Stead as the opener made an unbeaten 89 and was joined in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 86 by Jonathan Wilson (40no) as they reached 183-3 in a game reduced to 30 overs per side.

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Wicketkeeper Mally Nicholson made an unbeaten 68, hitting three sixes and seven fours, as he and Mohammad Zaman (37) were assisted by a quick 23 off 12 balls from James Lee, to steer Cleckheaton home.

Morley ended their six-game run without a win by recovering from 28-6 to defeat fellow strugglers East Bierley by 26 runs.

Morley struggled against the new-ball pairing of Matthew Lumb (5-33) and Awaiz Ejaz (3-24), but managed to scramble to 121 thanks to Richard Jubb (32), Luke Heinemann (28) and Nathan Bromby (26).

The value of those contributions became clear as East Bierley faltered against the spin bowling of Kashif Naveed (4-15) and Dave Nebard (4-27) and were dismissed for 96.

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The result wasn’t enough to lift Morley out of the bottom two but they are now just two points behind Pudsey Congs, who suffered a 12-run defeat against Bradford & Bingley, and East Bierley.

Scholes are now 35 points adrift at the bottom after a six-wicket defeat at Woodlands.

Scholes found the going tough when they were asked to bat first in a game reduced to 26 overs a side.

Only captain James Stansfield (38) had any answer to the bowling of young paceman Elliot Richardson (4-34) and left-arm spinner Chris Brice (3-30) as Scholes struggled to 99-9.

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Woodlands were set on their way to victory by opener Sam Frankland (44) who was joined in a first-wicket stand of 64 by Logan Weston before both became victims of Stansfield (3-25).

Woodlands completed victory which keeps them fifth in the table, although they are 52 points adrift of leaders Pudsey St Lawrence, at the halfway point in the season.

Overseas player Noman Ali played a big part in Bradford & Bingley’s important win over Pudsey Congs as he top scored with 48 in his side’s 183-8 with support from Charlie Best (32) and Matthew Walker (30).

Spinner Josh Wheatley (3-44) was again the pick of the Congs bowlers.

Ali then took 3-44 in reply as Congs were bowled out for 171.

Opener Callum Geldart (34) and Wheatley (37no) were the top scorers but Ali and Walker (3-55) wrapped up a welcome win for Bingley.