JCT 600 Bradford League first team review June 17, 2007

Posted:June 17, 2007

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Farsley secured their third successive win to maintain their climb away from the JCT 600 Bradford League Division One relegation zone as they defeated Hanging Heaton by five wickets to move up to ninth place.

But the outlook isn't so good for Hanging Heaton. They are now firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and are 16 points away from safety.

Skipper Ashley Metcalfe (80no) and David Syres (44no) steered Farsley to their latest success with an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 91. They built on the good work of Shabir Rashid (42) as Farsley past Hanging heaton's score of 224 all out with nine balls to spare.

Hanging Heaton's innings was also dominated by a Sri Lankan. Thilan Thushara smashed a breezy 66 after Chris Schofield had launched the innings with a bright knock of 53 but Hanging Heaton were hampered by having to play a man short.

Farsley picked up a 20-point maximum to cap a fine weekend for them, in contrast Hanging Heaton know they must follow their rivals' example if they are to get out of trouble.

Bowling Old Lane, last season's Division Two champions, remain in the second relegation place following an agonising three-run defeat at Pudsey Congs. They performed well to dismiss their third-placed rivals for 199, a score which owed much to the efforts of opener Alexis Twigg (55) and skipper Babar Butt (30) as spinner Shoaib Khan (5-23) posed problems.

Despite only losing five wickets, Old Lane were restricted to a score of 196. Overseas Shoaib Khan finished 56 not out while Tahir Khan and Wajid Hussain each made 33. Scott Cunningham chipped in with two for 18 at the death for Congs who were grateful to escape with a win.

Brighouse and Idle, two teams who have been sliding dangerously towards the Division One trap door, both won. Brighouse defeated a weakened Pudsey St Lawrence side by 47 runs with Haroon Rashid continuing his fine batting form with 88 as Brighouse were dismissed for 163. Australian off spinner Tom Stray picked up three for 30.

St Lawrence batted poorly and were dismissed for 116 despite being gifted 30 extras. Opener Mark Robertshaw was their top scorer with 31. He was one of the victims of spinner Rizwan Ahmed who took five for 29.

Idle can also breathe a little more easily after their three-wicket success against Baildon. The old warhorse Greg Colehan bowled superbly to take four for 20 as Baildon were dismissed for a dismal 111. Simon Webb (36) was the one batsman to show any kind of form.

Idle looked in big trouble at 14-4 but were helped towards their victory target by a vigorous knock by their overseas Locu Fernando. The Sri Lankan made 59 as Idle picked up a welcome 15 points.

Saltaire'a opening bowlers Mansha Khan (5-19) and Imran Arif (3-18) bowled their side to a convincing 141-run win over inconsistent Cleckheaton. The visitors were bowled out for just 65 at sun-soaked Roberts Park as Saltaire secured 19 priceless points.

Saltaire's innings featured some fine batting from Gulsheraz Ahmed (69),and wicketkeeper George Hicks (40) who steadied things after in-form Wasim Munawar was dismissed without a run on the board. Spinners Mohammad Zaman (4-36) and Tom Pringle (3-52) were the best of the Cleckheaton bowlers.

East Bierley returned to winning ways after two successive defeats. They beat Bradford & Bingley by six-wickets after dismissing their disappointing rivals for just 116. Left arm spinner Luke Jarvis (3-30) again impressed while Paul Hutchison picked up three for 26.

Opener Gharib Razak hit four sixes and five fours in an attacking innings of 53 which helped speed East Bierley to their victory.

Despite their win, East Bierley fell further behind champions Woodlands who are setting a remorseless pace at the top. They made it ten wins from 11 games - the remaining match was washed out without a ball being bowled - when they defeated Manningham Mills by129 runs.

Mills, fresh from their fine win over Pudsey Congs 24 hours earlier, were brought crashing back to earth with a bump as Pieter Swanepoel (6-36) and left-arm spinner Chris Brice (3-2) bowled them out for just 64. Brice had earlier impressed again with bat hitting 58 as Woodlands made 203-7. Top scorer was opener Sam Frankland who returned to form with a patient knock of 80. Gamaal Hussain was once again the best Mills bowler with three for 54 Woodlands are now 17 points clear at the top and looking good for a third successive title.